164 
RETURN OF THE MATCHAPPEES. 
[1820, 
provisions. As the Bushmen generally slaughter 
the cattle before they can be overtaken, the Mat- 
chappees look for a supply from this quarter. 
Should they come up to any cattle which the 
Bushmen have left dead, instead of pursuing the 
robbers with greater ardour, they sit down and. 
feast. 
About noon the commando returned, marching 
into the town, with singing, and imitating attacks 
on the Bushmen. Mateebe marched on the left of 
the front rank. They entered the King's inclo- 
sure, and sat down in rows at the right side of 
the gate, holding their shields before them, their 
spears erect, with the points resting on the 
ground. Several of the nimblest rushed from 
the ranks, and, after performing various evolu- 
tions, returned to their places, when they sung 
a slow tune. A captain then rose, and, with an 
audible voice, related all that had happened. 
He concluded his speech by pronouncing, in a 
martial manner, the word " Seroomo!''^ To arms! 
After singing another song in a drawling manner, 
Makklack, a chief captain, rose and gave an ac- 
count of the robbery of Polekanny's cattle-post 
to the north of Lattakoo, which was supposed to 
have been done by the messengers of Makkabba, 
who had lately left Lattakoo. It was suspected 
that they had persuaded the herdsmen to join 
them in the robbery, and to accompany them to 
