did depart at the expiration of the week ; but, as I relied on what
the missionary said, the plan was immediately given up as not to be
accomplished, and I returned to my waggons, again to ruminate on
this disappointment, and to devise some means for extricating my
affairs from the unpleasant situation in which they now appeared to
stand.
CHAPTER XXI.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOURNEY BACK INTO THE COLONY :----SECOND VISIT TO
THE VILLAGE IN THE ASBESTOS MOUNTAINS: -----AND PREPARATIONS FOR
DEPARTURE.
T h e greater part of the day was passed in the utmost uncertainty
as to my future movements. In melancholy mood, I paced backwards
and forwards, at a little distance from my waggons; where,
alone and uninterrupted, I could muse on the plan that should now
be adopted. The idea of going myself to Cape Town, several times
presented itself, but the distance, and consequent loss of so much of
my own time, appeared a great objection j although I afterwards
had reason to believe that such would have been the most advantageous
step: as, in that case, 1 should have accompanied, as far as
the Colonial boundary, the waggon of the missionary who was
about to return to the Cape, and then, on horseback, have made the
best of my way alone. At Cape Town I could have purchased
another waggon and oxen, which eventually would have been exceedingly
serviceable; and, immediately, with fresh stores, and every
deficiency again supplied, have hastened with my new men to join
3 Y