With the exception of three lions coming very near to the encampment and
rousing up the Griquas, nothing occurred during the night. In the
morning they yoked the oxen and had all the horses saddled ready for the
chase; but they were disappointed for nearly the whole day; as, although
they saw a variety of game, no giraffe appeared in sight. In the
afternoon, as they passed by a clump of mimosas, they were charged by a
rhinoceros, which nearly threw down Alexander's best horse; but a volley
from the Griquas laid him prostrate. It was a very large animal, but
not of the black or ferocious sort, being what is termed the white
rhinoceros. Within the last two days they had also observed that the
gnoo was not of the same sort as the one which they had seen so long,
but a variety which Swinton told them was called the brindled gnoo; it
was, however, in every other respect the same animal, as to its motions
and peculiarities. Towards the evening the Matabili warrior who
accompanied them pointed to a mimosa at a distance, and made signs to
the Major that there was a giraffe.
"I cannot see him--do you, Alexander?" said the Major; "he points to
that mimosa with the dead stump on the other side of it, there. Yes, it
is one, I see the stump, as I called it, move; it must be the neck of
the animal. Let loose the dogs, Swanevelt," cried the Major, starting
off at full speed, and followed by Alexander, and Omrah with the spare
horse. In a minute or two the giraffe was seen to get clear of the
mimosa, and then set off in an awkward, shambling kind of gallop; but,
awkward as the gallop appeared, the animal soon left the Major behind.
It sailed along with incredible velocity, its long swan-like neck
keeping time with its legs, and its black tail curled above its back.
"Push on, Alexander," cried the Major; "if ever there were seven-league
boots, that animal has a pair of them on. He goes like the wind; but he
cannot keep it up long, depend upon it, and our horses are in capital
condition."
Alexander and the Major were now neck and neck, close to each other, at
full speed, when of a sudden the Major's horse stumbled, and fell upon
an ostrich, which was sitting on her nest; Alexander's horse also
stumbled and followed after the Major; and there they were, horses and
riders, all rolling together among the ostrich-eggs; while the ostrich
gained her legs, and ran off as fast as the giraffe.
As soon as they had got on their legs again, and caught the bridles of
their horses, they looked round, but could not distinguish the giraffe,
which was out of sight among the mimosa-trees; while Omrah was very busy
picking up their rifles, and laughing in a very disrespectful manner.
The Major and Alexander soon joined in the laugh. No bones were broken,
and the horses had received no injury. All they had to do was to return
to the caravan, looking very foolish.
"Your first essay in giraffe-hunting has been very successful," said
Swinton, laughing, as they came up to him.
"Yes, we both threw very pretty summersets, did we not?" said Alexander.
"However, we have got some ostrich-eggs for supper, and that is better
than nothing. It will soon be dark, so we had better encamp for the
night, had we not?"
"I was about to propose it," said Swinton.
"Did you ever hunt the giraffe, Swinton?" inquired Alexander, as they
were making their supper on roasted ostrich-eggs; each of them holding
one between his knees, and dipping out with a large spoon.
"Never," replied Swinton; "I have often seen them in Namaqua-land, but
never killed one. I remember, however a circumstance connected with the
giraffe, which would have been incredible to me, if I had not seen the
remains of the lion. You are well aware how long and strong are the
thorns of the mimosa (or kamel-tree, as the Dutch call it, from the
giraffe browsing upon it), and how the boughs of these trees lie like an
umbrella, close upon one another. A native chief informed me that he
witnessed a lion attacking a giraffe. The lion always springs at the
head or neck, and seizes the animal by that part, riding him, as it
were. The giraffe sets off at full speed with its enemy, and is so
powerful as often to get rid of him; for I have seen giraffes killed
which had the marks of the lion's teeth and claws upon them. In this
instance the lion made a spring, but the giraffe at that very moment
turning sharp round, the lion missed his aim, and by the blow it
received was tossed in the air, so that he fell upon the boughs of the
mimosa on his back. The boughs were not only compact enough to bear his
weight, but the thorns that pierced through his body were so strong as
to hold the enormous animal where he lay. He could not disengage
himself; and they pointed out to me the skeleton on the boughs of the
tree, as a corroboration of the truth of the story."
"It does really approach to the marvellous," observed the Major; "but,
as you say, seeing is believing. I trust that we shall be more
fortunate to-morrow."
"I have gained a piece of information from Swanevelt," said Swinton,
"which makes me very anxious that we should leave this as soon as
possible; which is, that the Matabili king had no idea that we had
Griquas in our company, and still less that we were to come into his
country with only the Griquas as attendants. You are not perhaps aware
that Moselekatsee is the deadly enemy of the Griquas, with whom he has
had several severe conflicts, and that we are not very safe on that
account?"
"Why did not the Griquas say so?" replied Alexander.
"Because they do not care for the Matabili, and I presume are glad to
come into the country, that they may know something of it, in case of
their making an attack upon it. Depend upon it, as soon as the king
hears of it, we shall be looked upon as spies, and he may send a party
to cut us off."
"Have you said anything to the Griquas?"
"Yes, and they laughed, and said that they should not care if we went
right up to the principal town, where Moselekatsee resides."
"Well, they are bold enough, and so far are good travelling companions;
but we certainly did not come here to fight," observed the Major. "But
does the Matabili with us know that they are Griquas?"
"He did not; he supposed that they were Cape people whom we had brought
with us; but he has found it out by the Hottentots, I suppose.
Swanevelt says, that the very first body of Matabili that we fell in
with, he sent a runner off immediately, I presume to give the
information. I think, therefore, that the sooner we can get away the
better."
"Well, I agree with you, Swinton," replied Alexander. "We will try for
the giraffe to-morrow, and when the Major has had the satisfaction of
killing one, we will retrace our steps for should we be attacked, it
will be impossible to defend ourselves long against numbers. So now to
bed."
They rose early the next morning, and, leaving the waggon where it was,
again proceeded on horseback in search of the giraffes. They rode at a
slow space for four or five miles, before they could discover any. At
last a herd of them were seen standing together browsing on the leaves
of the mimosa. They made a long circuit to turn them, and drive them
towards the camp, and in this they succeeded. The animals set off at
their usual rapid pace, but did not keep it up long, as there were
several not full-grown among them, which could not get over the ground
so fast as the large male of the preceding day. After a chase of three
miles, they found that the animals' speed was rapidly decreasing, and
they were coming up with them. When within a hundred yards, Alexander
fired, and wounded a female which was in the rear. The Major pushed on
with the dogs after a large male, and it stopped at bay under a mimosa,
kicking most furiously at the dogs. The Major levelled his rifle, and
brought the animal down with his first shot. It rose again, however,
and for a hundred yards went away at a fast pace; but it again fell, to
rise no more. The female which Alexander had wounded received another
shot, and was then also prostrated.
"I have killed a _giraffe_," said the Major, standing by the side of the
one he had killed. "It has been a long way to travel, and there have
been some dangers to encounter for the sake of performing this feat; but
we have all our follies, and are eager in the pursuit of just as great
trifles through life; so that in this I am not perhaps more foolish than
the rest of mankind. I have obtained my wishes--I have killed a
giraffe; and now I don't care how soon we go back again."
"Nor I," replied Alexander; "for I can say with you, when we arrive in
England, I too have killed a giraffe; so you will not be able to boast
over me. By Swinton's account, if we stay here much longer, we shall
have to kill Matabili, which I am not anxious to do; therefore, I now
say with you, I don't care how soon we go back to the Cape."
As they were not more than two miles from the waggon, they rode back,
and sent the Griquas to bring in the flesh of the animals; Swinton not
caring about the skins, as he had already procured some in Namaqua-land,
and the weight of them would be so very great for the waggon. On their
return, they had some conversation with the Griquas, who candidly
acknowledged that it was very likely that the Matabili king would
attempt to cut them off; although they appeared not at all afraid of his
making the attempt. They, however, readily consented to return the next
morning. That night, a messenger arrived to the Matabili chief who was
escorting them. What was the communication of course our travellers
could not tell; but their suspicions were confirmed by the behaviour of
the man. When he found that, on the following morning, they yoked the
oxen and retraced their steps, he begged them not to go, but to advance
into the interior of the country, where they would find plenty of game;
told them that the king would be very angry if they left so soon; and if
he did not see them, his heart would be very sad. But our travellers
had made up their mind, and travelled back during the whole of that day.
The Matabili despatched the messenger who had come to him, and who
again set off at all speed; at night he urged our travellers not to go
back, saying that the king would be very angry with him. But as the
Griquas were now equally convinced that treachery was intended, they
paid no attention to the Matabili chief, and continued their route,
shooting elands by the way for their sustenance. Late in the evening of
the third day they found themselves on the borders of the Vaal River.
It was still two hours before dark, and as the Matabili pressed them to
encamp where they were, they were satisfied that they had better not,
and therefore they forded the river, and rejoined the caravan, under
charge of Bremen, just as night closed in.
The Griquas said, that from the Matabili wishing them to remain on the
other side of the river, they were persuaded that a force would arrive
during that night or the following morning, and that it would be
necessary to be on the look-out; although probably the enemy would not
venture to attack them without further orders, now that they were no
longer in Moselekatsee's dominions. Every preparation was therefore
made: the Griquas and Hottentots were all supplied with ammunition, and
mustered with their guns in their hands. The waggons were arranged, the
fires lighted, and four men were posted as sentinels round the
encampment. What added still more to their suspicions was, that, about
an hour after dark, the Matabili chief was not to be found.
"My opinion is," said the Major, "that we ought to steal a march upon
them. Our oxen are in excellent condition, and may travel till
to-morrow evening without feeling it. Let us yoke and be off at once,
now that it is dark. The moon will rise about two o'clock in the
morning; but before that, the waggons will be twelve or fifteen miles
off. Alexander and I, with Bremen, will remain here with our horses,
and wait till the moon rises, to see if we can discover anything; and we
can easily join the waggons by daybreak. We will keep the fires up, to
allow them to suppose that we are still encamped, that they may not
pursue."
"And also to keep off the lions," observed Alexander, "which are not
enemies to be despised."
"I think it is a very good plan; but why not have more men with you? We
have plenty of horses, and so have the Griquas."
"Well then let us talk to the Griquas."
The Griquas approved of the plan; and, having their own horses, six of
them agreed to remain with Alexander and the Major, and Swanevelt and
two more of the Hottentots were also mounted to remain; which made a
force of twelve men, well-mounted and well-armed. The remainder of the
caravan yoked the oxen to the waggons, and, under the direction of
Swinton, set off in a southerly direction, across the desert, instead of
going by the banks of the Vaal River, as before.
This had been arranged previously to any expected attack from the
Matabili, as it would considerably shorten the distance on returning,
although they knew that they would find much difficulty in procuring
water for a few days. After the caravan had departed, it was found that
Omrah had helped himself to a horse and a gun, and had remained in the
camp; but as he was always useful, his so doing was passed over without
notice. In half an hour, the waggons were out of sight, and the noise
of their wheels was no longer to be heard.
They fastened their horses in the centre of the fires, and sat down by
them till the moon rose, when they directed their eyes to the opposite
bank of the river; but for some time nothing was discovered, to confirm
their suspicions. When the moon was about an hour high, they perceived
a body of men coming down towards the banks, and the moon shone upon
their shields, which were white. As soon as they arrived at the bank of
the river, they all sat down, without making any noise. Shortly
afterwards, another body, with dark-coloured shields, made their
appearance, who came down and joined the first.
"We were not wrong in our suspicions, at all events," said the Major; "I
should say that there are not less than a thousand men in these two
parties which have already appeared. Now, what shall we do? Shall we
remain here, or shall we be off, and join the waggons?"
"I really can hardly decide which would be the best," replied Alexander;
"let us have a consultation with Bremen and the Griquas."
"If we were to go away now," said Bremen, "the fires would soon be out,
and they might suspect something, and come over to reconnoitre. When
they found that we were gone, they would perhaps follow us, and overtake
the waggons; but if we remain here, and keep the fires up till daybreak,
the waggons will have gained so much more distance."
The Griquas were of the same opinion; and it was decided that they would
remain there till daybreak, and then set off.
"But," said Alexander, "shall we leave this before they can see us, or
allow them to see us?"
The Griquas said, that it would be better that the enemy should see
them, as then they would know that the fires had been kept up to deceive
them, and that the waggons were probably a long way off.
This having been agreed upon, a careful watch was kept upon the enemy
during the remainder of the night. Although the moon had discovered the
approach of the Matabili to the party, the spot where the camp had been
pitched was in the shade, so that from the opposite side of the river
only the fires could be distinguished. A little before dawn, some one
was heard approaching, and they were all prepared to fire, when they
discovered that it was Omrah, who, unknown to them, had crawled down to
the banks of the river, to reconnoitre the enemy.
Omrah, who was out of breath with running, stated that some of the
Matabili were crossing the river, and that six had landed on this side,
before he came up to give the information. He pointed to a clump of
trees, about three hundred yards off; and said that they had gone up in
that direction, and were probably there by that time.
"Then we had better saddle and mount," said the Major, "and ride away
gently to the wood on this side of the camp. We shall then be able to
watch their motions without being seen."
This advice was good, and approved by all. They led out their horses
without noise, and as soon as they had done so, they went back, and
threw more fuel on the fires. They then retreated to the wood, which
was about the same distance from the camp, on the other side, as the
clump of trees where the Matabili were secreted.
They had hardly concealed themselves, before the Matabili in the clump,
surprised at not seeing the awnings of the waggons, and suspecting that
they had been deceived, came out from their ambuscade; first crawling on
all-fours, and as they arrived at the camp, and found only fires
burning, rising up one after another. After remaining about a minute in
consultation, two of the party were sent back to the river to
communicate this intelligence to the main body, while the others
searched about in every direction. Alexander, with the Major and their
party, remained where they were, as it was their intention to cross
through the wood, until they came to the open ground, about a quarter of
a mile to the southward, and then show themselves to the enemy, before
they went off to join the waggons.
In a few minutes it was daylight, and they now perceived that the whole
body of the Matabili were crossing the river.
"They intend to pursue us, then," said Alexander.
Omrah now pointed to the side of the river, in the direction which the
waggons had travelled when they came up by its banks, saying, "When go
away--ride that way first--same track waggon go that way back--same way
waggon come."
"The boy is right," said the Major; "when we start from the wood, we
will keep by the river-side, in the track by which the waggons came; and
when we are concealed from them by the hills or trees, we will then
start off to the southward after the waggons."
"I see," replied Alexander; "they will probably take the marks of the
waggon-wheels coming here, for those of the waggons going away, and will
follow them; presuming, as we go that way, that our waggons have gone
also. But here they come up the banks; it is time for us to be off."
"Quite time," said the Major; "so now let us show ourselves, and then
trust to our heels."
The Matabili force was now within four hundred yards of the camp. It
was broad daylight; and, with their white and red shields and short
spears in their hands, they presented a very formidable appearance.
There was no time to be lost, so the party rode out of the end of the
wood nearest the river, and, as soon as they made their appearance, were
received by a yell from the warriors, who dashed forward in the
direction where they stood. The Major had directed that no one should
fire, as he and Alexander did not wish that any blood should be shed
unnecessarily. They therefore waved their hands, and turning their
horses' heads galloped off by the banks of the river, keeping in the
tracks made by the waggons when they came up.
As soon as they had galloped a quarter of a mile, they pulled up, and
turned their horses' heads to reconnoitre. They perceived that the
Matabili force was pursuing them at the utmost speed: but as they had no
horsemen, that speed was of course insufficient to overtake the
well-mounted party in advance. As soon as they were near, our party
again galloped off and left them behind. Thus they continued for four
or five miles, the Matabili force pursuing them, or rather following the
tracks of the waggons, when they observed a belt of trees before them
about a mile off; this the Major considered as a good screen to enable
them to alter their course without being perceived by the enemy. They
therefore galloped forward, and as soon as they were hidden by the
trees, turned off in a direction by which they made certain to fall in
with the track which the waggons had made on their departure during the
night.
They had ridden about two miles, still concealed in the wood, when they
had the satisfaction of perceiving the Matabili force still following at
a rapid pace the tracks of the waggons on the river-side. Having
watched them for half an hour, as they now considered that all was safe,
they again continued their course, so as to fall in with the waggons.
"I think we are clear of them now," said the Major; "they have evidently
fallen into the trap proposed by that clever little fellow, Omrah."
"He is a very intelligent boy," observed Alexander, "and, travelling in
this country, worth his weight in gold."
"I wish Swinton would make him over to me," said the Major; "but,
Alexander, do you observe what a change there is already in the
country?"
"I do indeed," replied Alexander; "and all ahead of us it appears to be
still more sterile and bare."
"Yes, when you leave the rivers, you leave vegetation of all kinds
almost. There is no regular rainy season at all here, Swinton says; we
may expect occasional torrents of rain during three months, but they are
very uncertain; the mountains attract the greater portion of the rain,
and sometimes there will not be a shower on the plains for the whole
year."
"How far shall we have to travel before we fall in with water again?"
inquired Alexander.
"Swinton says that there may be water in a river about sixty miles from
where we started last night; if not, we shall have to proceed about
thirty miles further, to the Gykoup or Vet River. After that we shall
have to depend for many days upon the water we may find in the holes,
which, as the season is now coming on, may probably be filled by the
rain."
Alexander and his party rode for seven or eight miles before they fell
in with the tracks of the caravan; they then pulled up their jaded
horses, and proceeded at a more leisurely pace, so that it was not till
late in the evening that they discovered the waggons at some distance,
having passed the dry bed of the Salt River ahead of them. During the
whole day their horses had had neither food nor water, and the animals
were much exhausted when they came up with the waggons. The oxen also
were fatigued with so long a journey, having made nearly fifty miles
since they started the evening before.
The country was now stony and sterile; a little vegetation was to be
found here and there, but not sufficient to meet the wants of the
animals, and water there was none. During the day but little game had
been seen,--a few zebras and ostriches only; all other varieties had
disappeared. There was of course no wood to light the fires round the
encampment: a sufficiency for cooking their victuals had been thrown
into the waggons, and two sheep were killed to supply a supper for so
numerous a party. But the absence of game also denoted the absence of
lions, and they were not disturbed during the night. In the morning the
Griquas parted company with them, on the plea that their oxen and horses
were in too poor a condition to pass over the desert, and that they must
make a direct course for the Vaal River and return by its banks.
Our travellers gave them a good supply of ammunition, the only thing
that they wished-for, and the Griquas, yoking their oxen to the crazy
old waggon, set off in a westerly direction.
The route of the caravan was now directed more to the south-west, and
they passed over an uninterrupted plain strewed with small
land-tortoises, and covered with a profusion of the gayest flowers.
About noon, after a sultry journey of nine hours, they fortunately
arrived at a bog, in which they found a pool of most fetid water, which
nothing but necessity could have compelled either them or the exhausted
animals to drink. Near this pool in the desert they found several wild
animals, and they obtained three gnoos for a supply of provision; the
little wood that they had in the waggon for fuel was all used up in
cooking their supper.
A heavy dew fell during the night, and in the morning, before the sun
rose, they were enveloped in a thick fog. As the fog dispersed, they
perceived herds of quaggas in all directions, but at a great distance.
They again yoked the oxen and proceeded on their journey; the country
was now covered with herbage and flowers of every hue, and looked like a
garden.
"How strange that the ground should be covered with flowers where there
is no rain or water to be found," observed Alexander.
"It is the heavy dews of the night which support them," said Swinton,
"and perhaps the occasional rains which fall."
A line of trees to the southward told them that they were now
approaching an unnamed river, and the tired oxen quickened their pace;
but on their arrival they found that the bed of the river was dry, and
not even a drop of water was to be found in the pools. The poor
animals, which had been unyoked, snuffed and smelt at the wet, damp
earth, and licked it with their tongues, but could obtain no relief.
The water which they had had in the casks for their own drinking was now
all gone; and there were no hopes of obtaining any till they arrived at
the Vet River, at least twenty five to thirty miles distant. Two of the
oxen lay down to rise no more, the countenances of the Hottentots were
dejected and sullen, and our travellers felt that their situation was
alarming.
While they were still searching and digging for water, the sky became
overcast, thunder and lightning were seen and heard in the distance, and
the clouds came rolling in volumes towards them. Hope was now in every
face; they already anticipated the copious showers which were to
succeed; their eyes ever fixed upon the coming storm; even the cattle
appeared to be conscious that relief was at hand. All that day the
clouds continued to gather, and the lightning to gleam. Night closed
in, but the rain had not yet fallen; the wind rose up, and in less than
an hour all the clouds had passed away, the stars shone out brightly,
and they were left in a state of suffering and disappointment.