344 TRAVELS IN 
Thefe Nimiquas aflured me, that this ftepwas 
unneceflary ; but I had laid it dov/n as a prin- 
ciple, that I could never take too many pre- 
cautions, and would no where make my ap- 
pearance but as a friend. 
Klaas, after having removed the apprehen- 
fions of the fugitives by means of the Nimi- 
quas, went with them to their kraal, to iriform 
the horde of my arrival ; and I foon fa.w him 
return furrounded by abput fifty favages, all 
without arms, in token of friendfhip and con- 
fidence. Among them was their chief, whofe 
countenance ftiowed him to be ill, and indeed 
he made me underftand, that he had been long 
afBI£ted with a dyfentery. 
His difeafe did not prevent him from ac- 
cepting, with great figns of joy, a glafs of 
brandy, which I prefented to him to enliven 
his fpirits. But after he had fwallowed two 
thirds of it, he gave the reft to a Vv^oman who 
accompanied him, and who was one of his 
wives ; for he had two. 
This woman was on the point of lying-in, 
but fhe would neverthelefs be one of the party to. 
fee an extraordinary man. She had long heard 
talk of m-e, but could never believe all the 
2 wonders. 
