arrived at Fort Wiltshire, the
outermost defense of the colony, situated on the banks of the Keiskamma.
English troops were stationed there, to prevent any marauding parties
from passing the river, or to intercept them on their return with their
booty.

As this was the last spot where they could expect to see any of their
countrymen, and they were kindly received by the officers, they agreed
to remain two days, that they might obtain all the information which
they could, and rearrange the stowing of the wagons before they
started. The original plan had been to direct their course to Chumie,
the first missionary station, which was about twenty-five miles distant;
but as it was out of their way, they now resolved to proceed direct to
Butterworth, which was forty miles further in the Caffre country, and
the more distant of the two missions. Our party took leave of their kind
entertainers, and, having crossed without difficulty at the ford the
Keiskamma river, had passed the neutral ground, and were in the land of
the Caffres.

Up to the present they had very little trouble with the Hottentots whom
they had hired. As long as they were within reach of the law they
behaved well; but now that they had passed the confines of the Cape
territory, some of them began to show symptoms of insubordination. The
dismissal of one, however, with an order to go back immediately, and
threatening to shoot him if he was ever seen in the caravan, had the
desired effect of restoring order. The country was now a series of hills
and dales, occasionally of deep ravines, and their route lay through the
paths made by the elephants, which were numerous. A Hottentot of the
name of Bremen, who was considered as their best man and most practiced
hunter, begged Alexander and his companions to be careful how they went
along, if they preceded the rest on horseback; as the elephants always
return by the same path at evening or after nightfall, in whatever
direction they may have been feeding, and it is very dangerous to
intercept them.

For two days they continued their course in nearly a straight line for
the missionary establishment. On the second evening, just about dusk, as
they were crossing a woody hill, by the elephants' path, being then
about 200 yards in advance of the wagons, they were saluted with one of
the most hideous shrieks that could be conceived. Their horses started
back; they could see nothing, although the sound echoed through the
h