VALUE OF HOUSES. 
305 
the natural consequence is, that very little has, as 
yet, fallen to our rifles. We have always thus far, 
however, had a sufficiency of animal food to supply 
our own wants, and those of our four-footed com¬ 
panions. The grass is good, and yet, with but little 
work, the nags are in very low condition. 
I left sixteen oxen behind yesterday, in charge of 
Cos Lindsey, Sechele’s brother. I was well treated 
by that chief, and he not only threw no obstacle in 
my way, but he offered me any assistance in his 
power. I brought him up from Natal a large iron 
bedstead, with mattress and pillows, as a present; 
and all looks favourable for a good hunt. The 
Boers treated me well also, but tried to deter me 
from going in by false representations, rumours of 
war with Mosilikatse, Machin, &c., and saying it 
was unsafe to think of venturing in; but the mis¬ 
sionaries at Sechele’s say I have nothing to fear, and 
that it was only a ruse of the Boers, to endeavour to 
dissuade me from penetrating farther. My outfit has 
been a very expensive one, but this year all my ap¬ 
pointments are good, and worth any day what I gave 
for them. The outlay altogether is very heavy, owing 
to the distance of the elephants, the size of our 
party (sixteen, all of whom I have to feed), and the 
presents I have to make on the road. But I fully 
expect to make a good return on my outlay, if the 
horses will only be so obliging as to live for a few 
months. A friend of mine has lost both his horses, 
and no amount of money can replace them here. I 
