co in large
rolls; 1 cwt. of snuff; all the heavy tools, spades, shovels, and axes,
and a variety of other useful articles.

The tilt-frame was much stouter than that of the two other wagons, for
the hoops met each other so as to make it solid. It was covered with a
tarred sail-cloth so as to be quite water-proof, and under the
tilt-frame were suspended all the guns, except the two which Alexander
and Mr. Swinton retained in their own wagons in case of emergency. The
back and front of this wagon were closed with boards, which were let
down and pulled up on hinges, so that it was a little fortress in case
of need; and as it could be locked up at any time, the Hottentots were
not able to get at the casks of spirits without committing a sort of
burglary. Begum was tied up in this wagon at night.

The fourth wagon was called the store wagon, and contained several
articles which were not immediately wanted; such as casks of flour and
bags of rice: it also held most of the ammunition, having six casks of
gunpowder, a quantity of lead, two coils of rope, iron bars, bags of
nails of various sizes, rolls of brass wire, and the two tents, with
three chairs and a small table. Like the wagon of Major Henderson, it
was covered with water-proof cloth.

Such was the fit-out which was considered necessary for this adventurous
expedition, and the crowds who came to see the preparations for the
great hunting-party, as it was called, were so great and so annoying
that the utmost haste was made to quit the town. At last the wagons were
all loaded, the Hottentots collected together from the liquor-shops,
their agreements read to them by the landroost, and any departure from
their agreements, or any misconduct, threatened with severe punishment.

The horses and oxen were brought in, and the next morning was fixed for
their departure. Having taken leave of the landroost and other gentlemen
of the town, who had loaded them with civilities, they retired to the
fort, and passed the major part of the night with Captain Maxwell; but
to avoid the crowd which would have accompanied them, and have impeded
their progress, they had resolved to set off before daylight. At two
o'clock in the morning the Hottentots were roused up, the oxen yoked,
and an hour before day-break the whole train had quitted the town, and
were traveling at a slow pace, lighted only by the brilliant stars of
the southern sky.

CHAPTER IX.

The plans of our travele