Part 17 (2/2)
After some other inquiries, the old ly, stated that he had, with other Caffres, followed the last party; had seen them all dead, and had taken off their clothes, and that as they died were buried by those who still survived
”A better fate, cruel as it was, than living as they must have lived,”
said Swinton
”Yes, truly,” replied Alexander; ”you don't knointon, what a load has been reht-hearted I feel, notwithstanding this recital of their sufferings My poor uncle! God grant that he ence, with the assurance that he has no grandchildren living the life of a heathen, and knowing no God What a relief will it prove to hirateful am I to God, that I have had so happy an issue to my mission! Nointon, ill return as soon as you please; as soon as we arrive at Daaka's kraal, I will take down in writing the statement of these people, and then ill hasten back to the Major”
”And I dare say,” said Swinton, as he remounted his horse, ”that you willhimself no relation to you, than if he had satisfactorily established himself as your own first cousin”
”You reater than ever could have been ht hearted, Swinton, and so grateful to God that I almost wish to dismount in my anxiety to return my thanks; but I do so inday they arrived at Daaka's kraal, and then Alexander took down very carefully in writing the statereed on the one point, which was, that the European descendants now living in the country recked in another vessel many years before the loss of the _Grosvenor_, and that not one of the _Grosvenor's_ people--men, women or children--had survived, except the feho arrived at the Cape
Having obtained these satisfactory documents, they made a handsome present to Daaka and the other Caffres, and ions As they journeyed back to the ard, they found the Caffres quitting their huts, and driving away the cattle, that they ht not fall into the power of the army of Quetoo, which it was said was now inthe tribes before them As our travelers were not at all anxious to have any coe invaders, in two days they crossed the Uons A shout froave notice of their approach The shout was returned, and in a few hted to see them
”I did not expect you back so soon,” replied the Major; ”and as I perceive that you are unaccompanied, I presume that your Caffre relations would not quit their kraals”
”You shall know all about it, Major, very soon; it will be enough at present to let you know that we have nothing but good news”
”That I rejoice to hear; but it ell you ca every preparation, and had you not returned in a few days, I should have retreated; the invaders are close at hand”
”We know it, and, if they are told that there are wagons here well loaded, they will come on quickly, with the hopes of plunder, so we er,” replied Alexander; ”to-morroill yoke and set off We can deter, but the first point is to retreat from this quarter”
”Exactly; the oxen are in pri day's march, and we know our country for some days, at all events; but enter o into the tent which I have pitched
You shall then tell me your adventures, while Mahomed fries a delicate piece of elephant's flesh for you”
”Have you killed an elephant?”
”Yes, but not without er, I assure you; I wanted your help sadly, for these Hottentots are too ood aim, and I had only my own rifle to trust to; but I have done very well considering, and I shall prove to our coarrison without putting hi upon greenthey are, if you do not happen upon a very old one”
When they entered the inclosure made by the Major, they were surprised at the state of defense in which he had put it His hedge of thorns upon rocks piled up was ions were in the center, drawn up in a square; the entrance would only adht
”Why, Major, you ainst the whole force of the Amaquibi in this position”
”Yes, provided I had provisions and water,” replied the Major; ”but I fear they would soon have starved ainst any sudden night-attack, and therefore I fortified ain”
The nehich they had to ihted at the intelligence:--”And now,” said he, ”what do you ain, of course, but by what route?”
”Why, Major, you and Swinton have been so kind in co with me thus far, and I have been so successful in my expedition, that I shall now leave you to decide as you please I have effected all that I wished, my business is over, and I a you decide upon I shall agree to willingly and join in heartily, so now speak your wishes”
”Well, I will speak mine very frankly,” replied the Major ”We have had some sport in this country, it is true, but not so ame is rather scarce, with the exception of elephants and sea-cows Now I should like to cross the et into the Bechuana and Bushame is as plentiful as I believe water is scarce; we can return that way, if you please, alh the Caffre country--what say you, Swinton?”
”Well, I am of your opinion As Wil to do but to ah this country, as I shall add greatly to my collections, I have no doubt; but it must not be expected that we shall fare as well as we have done in this; it will be the dry season, and we may be in want of water occasionally”
”I ah that country, where I hope to shoot a giraffe,--that is reat ambition,” replied Wilreed, and the affair is settled; but the question is, how shall we proceed back? We must return to Hinza's territory and send back the Caffres Shall we return to butterworth?”
”I think that must depend upon circu: the first point to ascertain is, the best passage over themuch too far to the eastward if we return to butterworth; but the Caffres will soon give us the necessary information”
”I wonder if the quarrel between Hinza and Voosani has been made up,”