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The Major ordered Bremen to arrange the wagons as usual, and turn the cattle out to feed. As soon as this had been accomplished, they saddled their horses, and awaited the return of Swanevelt, who had gone to reconnoiter.
The Griquas approved of the plan; and, having their own horses, six of them agreed to remain with Alexander and the Major, and Swanevelt and two more of the Hottentots were also mounted to remain; which made a force of twelve men, well-mounted and well-armed.
"I have gained a piece of information from Swanevelt," said Swinton, "which makes me very anxious that we should leave this as soon as possible; which is, that the Matabili king had no idea that we had Griquas in our company, and still less that we were to come into his country with only the Griquas as attendants.
"There is the Major," said Alexander, "and the Hottentots too; they are not hurt, don't you see them? they were up the trees; thank God." They now observed the Major run up to Swanevelt, and presently the two Hottentots went in pursuit of the Major's horse. Shortly afterwards, Swanevelt, with the assistance of the Major, got upon his legs and, taking up his gun, walked slowly away.
Alexander then got up with his gun in his hand, the Major and Swinton did the same, and then Alexander told the Hottentots that they were a cowardly set of fellows; that with Bremen and Swanevelt, and the band of Caffre warriors, he could do without them; that since they did not choose to proceed, they might now leave the camp immediately, as they should get neither food nor any thing else from them in future.
"Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us dreadfully." "Not half so much as I have been frightened myself," replied the Major; "we have all had a narrow escape. I can assure you, and Swanevelt's horse is dead." "Is Swanevelt hurt?" "No, he was most miraculously preserved; the horn of the buffalo has grazed the whole length of the body, and yet not injured him.
Several Hottentots immediately hurried back with him to help in unloading the wagon, and by degrees they all slipped away except Bremen, Swanevelt, who was cutting out the tusks, and Omrah, who remained perched upon the huge carcass of the animal, imitating the trumpeting and motions of the elephant, and playing all sorts of antics.
Bremen, Swanevelt, and Omrah were mounted, and ten of the Hottentots followed with their guns, and the Korannas on foot; among the others, Big Adam, who had been explaining to those who had never seen the gnoos the manner in which he used to kill them.
"Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us dreadfully." "Not half so much as I have been frightened myself," replied the Major; "we have all had a narrow escape, I can assure you, and Swanevelt's horse is dead." "Is Swanevelt hurt?" "No, he was most miraculously preserved; the horn of the buffalo has grazed the whole length of the body, and yet not injured him.
"And so shall I," said the Major; "I have no appetite." "Well, then, we will all meet at supper," said Swinton. "In the mean time I shall see if I can be of any use to Swanevelt. Where's Omrah?" "I saw him and Begum going out together just now," said the Major. "What for, I do not know." "Oh!
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