not
like even to lie down in a position of rest, but crouched on the ground
with my sharpened stick ready for use in case I was attacked. Towards
daylight, however, I could resist the desire to sleep no longer; and, as
all seemed quiet round me, I lay down and was soon in a sound sleep.

When I awoke, the sun was many times its own size above the horizon, and
was shining on the trunks of the trees around me. I ascended one of the
trees, from which I could see the masts of the ships in the bay. The
wind was blowing from the south-east, and as long as this wind continued
the vessel would not get over the bar. I knew as long as this ship
remained in the harbour the Zulus would not leave this part of the
country; they knew the stupid character of the English sailors, and they
also must be aware that they could not leave until they had procured
fresh water. Having descended the tree, I procured some fruit and
berries; and, making my way to the edge of the bush, I procured some
fresh water, of which I drank a large quantity, for I did not think it
safe to move about in the bush, and did not wish to have to come again
to the water during the day. On my return from the _vlei_, I heard a
rustling in the bush near me; and, becoming instantly still, I heard
some animal creeping away. Being desirous of knowing what the animal
was, I moved cautiously to where I had heard the noise; and at only a
few yards from me came on the carcase of a red bush-buck which had been
only lately killed. There was a mark on the buck's neck which I knew
indicated that a leopard had been its destroyer; but little of the buck
was eaten, so I knew I had disturbed the leopard at its feast. With my
knife I cut several strips of meat from the back and hind quarters of
the antelope; and, wrapping these in some large leaves, I fastened them
round with strips of bark, and was then provided with food for at least
three days.

On again ascending the tree to look out, I saw a boat leaving the vessel
with some sailors, and I could see casks in the boat; so I knew they
were going to the shore to procure water. These sailors, instead of
going up the bay, had seen a small stream of water running down the side
of the bluff, and had determined to get their barrels filled from this
stream. It was certainly a safer place than the Umbilo river would have
been, and I saw the men fill several casks and return in safety to their
ship. Soon after a change of wind