LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 63 
be left for their own disposal ; but the Caffres were hungry, 
and they knew nothing of European etiquette. It is true, they 
presented the bullock to them as a donation, but they saw no 
reason why they should not dispose of the greater part of it. 
On cutting up the animal, it was observed they paid more 
than ordinary attention to the paunch. Several of the Caffres 
laid violent hands on it, and after giving it a shake for the 
purpose of emptying the contents, they tore the greater part 
in slits with their teeth, and swallowed the whole as it came 
warm from the beast. 
Their meal, such as it was, being finished, part of the crew 
proceeded to the shore, and the long-boat was observed at a 
considerable distance. The ship was dividing very fast, and 
the gale increasing ; many things were therefore cast on shore, 
which the Caffres were indefatigable in procuring. A cask, 
however, was thrown on the beach, which considerably ex- 
cited the captain's anxiety : it contained sixty gallons of rum, 
a quantity sufficient to have intoxicated the whole of the na- 
tives, although they amounted to at least three hundred. The 
predilection for such liquor is well known, and the conse- 
quences of their intoxication was particularly dreaded by the 
captain. The only way left was to steal to the spot where 
the cask lay, and stave in the head without being perceived 
by them. This was happily accomplished, and they after- 
ward stripped the vessel of the iron hoops, without discover- 
ing what had been done, or what it formerly contained. 
In the general search on the shore, one of the Caffres had 
picked up the ship's compass. Not knowing what it was, yet 
pleased with its formation, he delivered it to the chief, who im- 
mediately took it to pieces ; and after contemplating the va- 
rious parts, took the copper ring in which it hung and sus- 
pended it from his neck. He appeared highly pleased with 
the ornament ; and this circumstance induced the captain to 
present him with one still more glittering, and of course, in 
his estimation, more valuable ; recollecting that he had in his 
possession a pair of paste knee-buckles, he presented them to 
the chief, and hung one upon each of his ears. 
The moment this was done the chief stalked about with an 
air of uncommon dignity. His people seemed to pay him 
greater reverence than before, and they were employed for 
some time in gazing at the brilliancy of the ornaments, and 
contemplating the august deportment of their chief magis- 
trate. 
Toward evening the captain again addressed the chief on 
