id Swinton.

"Yes, truly," replied Alexander; "you don't know, Swinton, what a load
has been removed from my mind, and how light-hearted I feel,
notwithstanding this recital of their sufferings. My poor uncle! God
grant that he may live till my return with this distinct intelligence,
with the assurance that he has no grandchildren living the life of a
heathen, and knowing no God. What a relief will it prove to him; how
soothing will it be to his last days! How grateful am I to God, that I
have had so happy an issue to my mission! Now, Swinton, we will return
as soon as you please; as soon as we arrive at Daaka's kraal, I will
take down in writing the statement of these people, and then we will
hasten back to the Major."

"And I dare say," said Swinton, as he remounted his horse, "that you
will make old Daaka a more handsome present, for proving himself no
relation to you, than if he had satisfactorily established himself as
your own first cousin."

"You may be sure that my gratitude towards him is much greater than ever
could have been my kindred feelings from relationship. I am so
light-hearted, Swinton, and so grateful to God, that I almost wish to
dismount in my anxiety to return my thanks; but I do so in my heart of
hearts, at all events."

On the following day they arrived at Daaka's kraal, and then Alexander
took down very carefully in writing the statements made by Daaka and the
other Caffres. They all agreed on the one point, which was, that the
European descendants now living in the country were wrecked in another
vessel many years before the loss of the _Grosvenor_, and that not one
of the _Grosvenor's_ people--men, women, or children--had survived,
except the few who arrived at the Cape.

Having obtained these satisfactory documents, they made a handsome
present to Daaka and the other Caffres, and immediately set out upon
their return to the waggons. As they journeyed back to the westward,
they found the Caffres quitting their huts, and driving away the cattle,
that they might not fall into the power of the army of Quetoo, which it
was said was now in motion, and scattering the tribes before them. As
our travellers were not at all anxious to have any communication with
these savage invaders, in two days they crossed the Umtata, and towards
the evening were within sight of the waggons. A shout from the
Hottentots and Caffres gave notice of their approach. The shout was
returned, and in a few m