36 LOSS OF THE 
the surf beat with great violence. The latter appearing to 
be much the shortest passage, they chose it, but had reason to 
repent their determination, as they had a miraculous escape 
with their lives. Some of them not only lost their provisions, 
but their fire-brands, which they had hitherto carefully carried 
with them, were extinguished by the waves. 
Dispirited by this essential loss, which was their chief pro- 
tection from the wild beasts, they felt the misery of their situa- 
tion with aggravated force, and an additional gloom clouded 
their future prospects. Marching along in this disconsolate 
mood, they fell in wdth some female natives, who immediately 
fled. When the travelers came up to the spot where these 
women had been first descried, they had the satisfaction to 
find that the fire on which they had been dressing muscles 
was not extinguished. With joy they lighted their brands, 
and after a few hours repose pursued their course. 
Next day they arrived at a village, where the natives offer- 
ed to barter a young bullock with them. The inside of a 
watch, some buttons, and other trifles, were offered and readi- 
ly accepted in exchange ; the beast being delivered up, was 
despatched by the lance of one of the natives. The Cafires 
were pleased to receive back the entrails, and the carcass 
being divided in the most impartial manner, our people took 
up their abode for that night near the village, and the next 
moroiing passed another river on a catamaran. 
The bullock was the only sustenance they had hitherto re- 
ceived from the natives, by barter or favor, excepting that the 
women sometimes gave the poor children who accompanied 
them some milk. Among the most barbarous nations, the 
females, to the honor of their sex, are always found to be 
comparatively humane, and never was there a more just ob- 
ject of commiseration than master Law. Hitherto he had got 
on tolerable well, through the benevolent attention of his com- 
panions. He walked when able, and Avheti tired, they carri- 
ed him in turn without a murmur. None ever obtained any 
food without allowing him a share. When the rest were col- 
lecting shell-fish he was left to watch the fire, and on their 
return he participated in the spoils. 
They now entered a sandy desert, which they were ten days 
in passing. In this desolate tract they had many rivers to 
pass ; and had it not been for the supply of food they carried 
with them, they must all have perished. However, they had 
wood in abundance, seldom failed to find water by digging 
in the sand, and being s.afe from the apprehension of the na- 
