tabili country, and were very
happy in their present quarters, as they were plentifully provided with
good meat. Alexander's waggon was therefore arranged so as to carry the
bedding and articles they might require, all other things being removed
to the other waggons. Their best oxen were selected, and eight of the
fleetest of their horses, and on the following morning, having
ascertained from the Matabili the best place to cross the river, our
travellers set off, and in an hour were on the other side.

There was no change in the country during the first day's journey; the
same variety and brilliancy of flowers were everywhere to be seen. The
eland and the other antelopes were plentiful, and they were soon joined
by parties of the natives, who requested them to shoot the animals for
them, which they did in quantities even sufficient to satisfy them.
Indeed if they found them troublesome, our travellers had only to bring
down an eland, and the natives were immediately left behind, that they
might devour the animal, which was done in an incredibly short space of
time. The Matabili who had conducted them proved to be a chief; and if
he gave any order, it was instantly obeyed; so that our travellers had
no trouble with the natives except their begging and praying for snuff,
which was incessant both from the men and women. Neither did they fear
any treachery from the Matabili king, as they were well-armed, and the
Griquas were brave men and the superiority of their weapons made them a
match for a large force. Every precaution, however, was taken when they
halted at night, which they invariably did in the centre of an open
plain, to prevent any surprise; and large fires were lighted round the
waggon.

They travelled on in this way for two days more, when in the evening
they arrived at a large plain sprinkled with mimosa-trees, and abutting
on the foot of a low range of hills. The Matabili told them that they
would find the giraffes on these plains, and the Major, who was very
anxious, kept his telescope to his eye, looking round in every direction
till nightfall, but did not succeed in descrying any of the objects of
his search. They retired that night with anxious expectation for the
following morning, when they anticipated that they should fall in with
these remarkable animals. Their guns were examined and every precaution
taken, and having lighted their fires and set the watch, they went to
bed; and, after commend