410 
JOURNEY ACROSS THE [1813. 
Tliey were running quick, for the cloud approached us 
fast. At length the oxen became visible ; but we were 
afraid to approach to hear the report of our men, 
dreading that some lives had been lost in the recap- 
ture. We were rejoiced to find they had obtained the 
cattle without resistance. Being night we could not 
count the cattle, so we were ignorant whether we had 
sustained any loss. After meeting to return thanks to 
God for the regaining of our cattle, we went to rest, 
leaving some to watch. 
10th. As soon as day-light appeared we numbered 
our cattle, and were pleased to find that not one was 
missing. Our three Hottentots who were with the 
cattle, viz. Peekure, Frederic, and Michal, gave us the 
following account of the matter : that not finding any 
pools lower down the dry bed of the river, they went 
forward till they came to the Great River, which was 
upwards of twenty miles. They observed, while they 
halted at the river, some Bushmen at a distance, lurk- 
ing among the bushes. They had not seen more than 
four. On leaving the river the Bushmen followed 
them, but concealing themselves as much as possible 
among the bushes. When almost dark, ttiey had 
taken their aim at Peekure, being a tall and strong 
man, perhaps supposing if they could bring him down, 
they would easily overcome the others, who were 
young. When he found himself wounded, he ran to 
one of his companions and asked him to pull out the 
arrow. He did so ; but two pieces of it remained in 
the wound, which he had the fortitude to pick out 
