ould protect themselves with the Caffre warriors, and that they
were not in a condition to enforce their demand.

After a long conversation, they did what all Hottentots will do under
any emergency,--they lay down by the fire, and fell fast asleep.
Swinton, having ascertained that they were really asleep, proposed that
they themselves should retire to the waggon, and leave the Caffres on
guard, which they did; as they well knew that a Hottentot once fast
asleep is not easily roused up even to "treason, stratagem, or spoil."

Shortly after break of day, Bremen came to them, stating that he found
the waggons could proceed no further, as he had walked on, and
discovered that a mile before them there was a ravine so deep that it
would be difficult for the cattle to go down, and for the waggons
impossible that at a distance of three miles below he could see the
river, which was also so embedded in rocks, as to be impassable by the
waggons.

The Major immediately went with Bremen, to satisfy himself of the truth
of this, and returned, stating that further progress with waggons was
impossible.

"Well, then, we must now hold a council," said Swinton. "Of course,
proceed you will, Wilmot, that is decided; the only question is, as we
must now proceed on horseback, what force you will take with you, and
what shall be left in charge of the waggons?"

"I think we can trust the Caffres, do not you?"

"Yes, I do; but I wish from my heart that the Hottentots had not
rebelled; for although in some respects cowardly fellows, yet with their
muskets they are brave, and their muskets keep the natives in order."

"To the Caffres, the contents of the waggons would prove a temptation;
but these are not temptations to the Hottentots, whose object is to get
back safe, and receive their wages. Thus we play them off against each
other."

"Here are all the Hottentots coming up to us," said the Major; "I hope
it is to make submission; it is very desirable that they should do so
before they know that the waggons proceed no further."

The surmise of the Major was correct: the Hottentots had again canvassed
the matter over, and, perceiving the helplessness of their position, had
come in a body to beg forgiveness, and to offer to accompany our
travellers wherever they pleased to take them.

It was a long while before Alexander would consent to receive them
again, and not until they had made promise upon promise, that he seemed
at last to b