64 
LOSS OF THE HERCULBS. 
the subject of their departure. He requested he would send 
a guide with them through the deserts to the first Christian 
settlement, and that nothing should be wanting on his part to 
recompense his kindness. The Caffre paused for a moment, 
and then very coolly replied, that he would gratify the cap- 
tain's wishes ; and being desired to name the time when he 
wouJd suffer them to depart, he gravely answered, " When I 
consider that matter you shall be made acquainted with my 
determination." These answers alarmed the unfortunate suf- 
ferers. The countenance of the savage appeared to discover 
some hostile measure that was lurking in his mind ; and yet 
his former conduct was so liberal and humane, ihat they had 
no just grounds for suspecting his integrity. The natives, 
however, were perceived consulting together in parties, and 
from their gestures nothing favorable could be perceived. 
When the day was drawing to a close, the crew was left to 
rest under the sand-hills, as on the former night. 
The fire was recruited with some timber from the wreck, 
and sentinels placed as before. The wind blowing hard from 
the same quarter, they were again tormented with clouds of 
sand and a chilling atmosphere. June being one of the win- 
ter months, they had to encounter the severities of the season. 
It was impossible to shift their quarters, as they could not pro- 
cure timber to light new fires, and the CafTres might be dis- 
pleased at their not remaining in their former situation. The 
night passed in consultations and gloomy predictions. The 
captain told his people not to do any thing that might have 
the least tendency to displease the natives ; to give them every 
thing they asked for, as the inhabitants of these deserts were 
only to be dreaded when provoked. But at the same time, 
if, contrary to their expectation, they make an attack, or en- 
deavor to detain them after a certain time, then he hoped they 
would firmly unite, and either force their way or perish in 
the conflict. 
When the sun made its appearance, they mounted the most 
elevated of the sand-hills to look out for the long-boat ; but 
she was not to be discovered in any direction. In a short 
time they perceived the CafTres advancing. Most of them 
had assagays in their hands ; others furnished with clubs ; 
some were decorated with ostrich feathers, and their chief 
wearing a leopard skin, with the captain's knee-buckles sus- 
pended as before. They saluted the crew in a very friendly 
manner, and were accompanied by them to the beach. The 
wind had increased during the night, and several parts of the 
