JULY.] RESIDENCE AT LATTAKOO. 
393 
Through them the Matchappees (Mateebe's people,) 
obtain their copper rings, which are reported to be 
made, not by them, though the copper mountains are in 
their country, but by a nation to the eastward of them, 
or nearer to the Indian ocean. An instance of the 
treachery of the Wanketzens happened lately. They 
obtained a party of Matchappees and Corannas to 
assist them in an expedition beyond them. On their 
arrival they marched together to attack the enemy. 
On the field of battle, before it commenced, the 
Wanketzens left the Matchappees and Corannas to 
fight it by themselves, when about eighty of them 
were killed. They considered this transaction as a 
snare laid for them. 
It was while on this expedition that they learned 
the fate of poor Cowan and his company. They said 
that these people watched an opportunity when he 
and his people might be separated, which soon oc- 
curred, when Dr. C. and Lieutenant Denovan were 
bathing in a pool at a little distance from their wag- 
gons, and the cattle and sheep were feeding in another 
direction, guarded by part of the people. Those who 
guarded the cattle were first attacked and overcome, 
then the people at the waggons, and last of all the 
Doctor and his companion. Only one escaped, a man 
belonging to Klaar Water, who fled to Makrakka, 
by whom he also was murdered. Thus not one was 
left to carry back tidings of the catastrophe, which 
took place near the city of Melita, under the direction 
of Makkabba, who has absolute power over his people ; 
