ncillors to take charge of the
presents, and inquired of Mr S how many warriors they wished to have,
and when they wished to go.

The reply was, that fifty warriors would be sufficient, and that they
wished to depart on the following morning. "It is well," replied Hinza
"fifty warriors are enough, for my men eat a great deal--they shall be
ready."

The council then broke up, and the king, having shaken hands with our
travellers, departed with his train: towards the evening an old cow was
sent to them as a present from his majesty. The Hottentots soon cut it
up and devoured it. Everything was now arranged for their immediate
departure.

The next morning, at break of day, the band of Caffre warriors were all
in readiness, each with his shield and three assaguays in his hand.
They were all fine, tall young men, from twenty to thirty years of age.
Alexander desired Mr S to tell them that, if they behaved well and were
faithful, they should every one receive a present when they were
dismissed; a notification which appeared to give general satisfaction.
The oxen had already been yoked, and taking leave of the worthy
missionary, our travellers mounted their horses and resumed their
journey. For the whole day they proceeded along the banks of the Kae
River, which ran its course through alternate glens and hills clothed
with fine timber; and as they were on an eminence, looking down upon the
river, the head Caffre warrior, who had, with the others, hung up his
shield at the side of the waggon, and now walked by our travellers with
his assaguay in his hand, pointed out to them, as the sun was setting
behind a hill, two or three large black masses on the further bank of
the river.

"What are they, and what does he say."

"Sea-cows," replied the interpreter.

"_Hippopotami_! We must have a shot at them, Wilmot," cried the Major.

"To be sure; tell them we will stop and kill one if we can," said Wilmot
to the interpreter.

"We shall want one to feed our army," said Swinton, laughing, "or our
sheep will soon be devoured."

The Caffres were all immediately in motion, running down to the bank of
the river, about a quarter of a mile distant; they swam across, and
there remained waiting till our travellers should give the word.

The animals lay on a muddy bank, at a turn of the river, like so many
swine asleep, some of them out, and some partly in and partly out of the
water. As they were huddled together, they looked