the
autumn, and these we used to knock over with our knob-kerries. I had
got quite accustomed to the absence of clothing; in fact, even now, I
often feel uncomfortable and in a kind of prison when I have clothes on.
I had killed several monkeys, out of the skins of which I had made
myself tails to wear round my waist, and also round my neck. When the
sun was very hot I carried some large banana leaves, which protected my
head from the sun, and served as a parasol. Now, considering that I had
no want of food, had nothing to do which I did not like, could go out
hunting whenever I chose, was not bothered as boys are in civilised
lands, I ought to have been very happy. I was happy; but I could not
get over the feeling that I was away from my people, that my father must
think I was dead, and my uncle, who intended being so kind to me, must
also have given me up as lost. The ship in which I had embarked at
Calcutta would be put down as one among the many "not since heard of."
I saw no chance, however, of ever again rejoining my relations; and,
though I thought frequently of every possible chance of doing so, I
could see no likely means of success. These Caffres had spared my life
and taken me among them as one of themselves. They had behaved well and
kindly to me, had rewarded me fairly for what I had done, and gave me
the rank of a chief. If I eventually rose to be the paramount chief in
this country I should be a king in a way: I should have the power of
life and death over my subjects, and I thought I might be able to teach
them many things which they now were ignorant of. When, however, I
thought of their laws and customs I found it difficult to imagine what I
should teach them to make them better than they were. I knew very
little about religion, and did not feel equal to trying to teach it,
because the chiefs were always reasoning about things that were told
them, and did not understand believing things on faith.

There was one subject that I was anxious to speak to these chiefs about,
but had always felt some hesitation. Now, however, I determined to
inquire from them why they had killed all the sailors and men who had
been shipwrecked. For, although these Caffres were warlike people, yet
I knew they were just, according to their reasoning, and would not kill
men in cold blood, unless with some end in view.

One evening I was sitting in my kraal, grinding down some nails to make
points for some arrows, wh