ed so
closely: that this eager pursuit of wealth should create a love of money
is but too natural, and to obtain money, men, under the influence of
that passion, will stop at nothing. Their cruelties in the East are on
record; but the question is, whether the English, who followed the path
of the Dutch, would not, had they gone before them, have been guilty of
the same crimes to obtain the same ends? The Spaniards were just as
cruel in South America, and the Portuguese have not fallen short of
them; nay, I doubt if our own countrymen can be acquitted in many
instances. The only difference is, that the other nations who preceded
them in discoveries had greater temptation, because there were more
riches and wealth to be obtained."
"Your remarks are just; well may we say in the Lord's Prayer, `Lead us
not into temptation,' for we are all too frail to withstand it."
At noon they again unyoked, and allowed the cattle to graze for an
interval; after which they proceeded till an hour before dark, when they
mustered the men, and gave them their several charges and directions.
At Alexander's request the Major took this upon himself, and he made a
long speech to the Hottentots, stating that it was their intention to
reward those who did their duty, and to punish severely those who did
not. They then collected wood for the fires, and had their supper,--the
first meal which they had taken out of doors. Mahomed, the Parsee
servant of Major Henderson, cooked very much to their satisfaction; and
having tied the oxen to the waggons, to accustom them to the practice,
more than from any danger to be apprehended, the watch was set to keep
up the fires: they then all retired to bed, the gentlemen sleeping in
their waggons, and the Hottentots underneath them, or by the sides of
the fires which had been lighted.
It will be unnecessary to enter into a detail of the journey to Graham's
Town, which was performed without difficulty. They did not arrive there
until eight days after their departure from Algoa Bay, as they purposely
lost time on the road, that things might find their places. At Graham's
Town they received every kindness and attention from the few military
who were there and the landroost. Here they dismissed three of the men,
who had remained drunk in the liquor-houses during their stay, and hired
nine more, who were well recommended; among these were two perfectly
well acquainted with the Caffre language and country;
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