they were,
with the other three wagons and the rest of the Griquas, until our
travelers should return.

This arrangement was not at all disagreeable to the Hottentots, who did
not much like the idea of entering the Matabili country, and were very
happy in their present quarters, as they were plentifully provided with
good meat. Alexander's wagon was therefore arranged so as to carry the
bedding and articles they might require, all other things being removed
to the other wagons. Their best oxen were selected, and eight of the
fleetest of their horses, and on the following morning, having
ascertained from the Matabili the best place to cross the river, our
travelers set off, and in an hour were on the other side.

There was no change in the country during the first day's journey; the
same variety and brilliancy of flowers were every where to be seen. The
eland and the other antelopes were plentiful, and they were soon joined
by parties of the natives, who requested them to shoot the animals for
them, which they did in quantities even sufficient to satisfy them.
Indeed if they found them troublesome, our travelers had only to bring
down an eland, and the natives were immediately left behind, that they
might devour the animal, which was done in an incredibly short space of
time. The Matabili who had conducted them proved to be a chief, and if
he gave any order, it was instantly obeyed; so that our travelers had no
trouble with the natives except their begging and praying for snuff,
which was incessant, both from the men and women. Neither did they fear
any treachery from the Matabili king, as they were well armed, and the
Griquas were brave men, and the superiority of their weapons made them a
match for a large force. Every precaution, however, was taken when they
halted at night, which they invariably did in the center of an open
plain, to prevent any surprise; and large fires were lighted round the
wagon.

They traveled on in this way for two days more, when in the evening they
arrived at a large plain sprinkled with mimosa-trees, and abutting on
the foot of a low range of hills. The Matabili told them that they would
find the giraffes on these plains, and the Major, who was very anxious,
kept his telescope to his eyes, looking round in every direction till
nightfall, but did not succeed in descrying any of the objects of his
search. They retired that night with anxious expectation for the
following morning, when they