evaded me. Nor did I ever find
them, though I am sure that Anderson's tale was true, and that
somewhere in those mountains lie diamonds galore. It may be that they
are now buried deep in the sand; for at times the wind blows with
incredible force; and in the terrific sandstorms, huge dunes are lifted
and swept across the country; and it may well be that the deep valley
of his day is now filled to the level of its walls.

Sick and disheartened I determined at last to offer a big reward to any
of the guides who should bring in a diamond to me; and calling them all
together, I made them understand as much; at the same time showing one
of the little diamonds that Anderson had given me. A trade musket, with
powder and shot, was to be the reward; and as this was a prize beyond
the dreams of these poor Bushmen there was a general exodus from the
camp in search of the "bright stones." From their excited exclamations
when I showed them the diamond, I gathered that they had all seen such
stones, and I cheered myself with the hope that at last I should be
rewarded for all my hardships. But, alas! They brought in "bright
stones" truly bright stones in abundance but quartz crystals chiefly;
bright, clear, and sparkling, but of course utterly valueless; and
though I sent them out again and again, they brought nothing in of any
value.

Amongst my boys, who had followed me from Walfisch Bay, was one Inyati,
who was much attached to me, and who had become a sort of body-servant
to me. He was a fine upstanding chap who held himself absolutely aloof
from the Griquas and Hottentots that formed the bulk of my paid
followers, and to whose oblique eyes, and pepper-corn wool, his
expressive orbs and shock of crinkled hair formed an agreeable
contrast. As for the Bushmen, Inyati treated them, and looked upon
them, absolutely as dogs. He was a good game spoorer, and I had taught
him to shoot; and so intelligent was he, that I had taken a great
interest in him, and had learnt to talk to him in his own tongue a
sonorous, expressive language entirely different to the peculiar
"click" of the local natives.

I knew that his dearest wish was to possess a gun of his own, and fully
expected that he too would wish to join in the search that might lead
to his gaining one; but, though he had examined the stones I had shown
far more intently than any of them, he made no effort to leave the
camp. Day after day he attended to my simple wants, spending all