customs to have been enabled with advantage to enter the next nation
beyond. And besides this, I feared that he might give vent to his
displeasure, by sending forward into those countries, some reports
which might occasion to me an unfriendly reception.
I therefore told him that on one condition only, would I consent
to let him have a musket; which was, that I should retain it till my
return to Karrikamma, and that he might then send some trusty
person thither to receive it ; but that I would on no consideration
give up any of my arms until I had arrived at that place.
I conceived that by this agreement I was dealing with him in his
own way, by outwitting him ; as it was of course not my intention
to return to that village, but to proceed onwards farther into the
Interior.
He appeared very satisfied with my answer and pleased at the
success of his negotiation ; and replied that he would send his
brothers Mollemmi and Molaali to receive the gun. I then remarked
that as I had done more for him than any other white-man who had
visited his country, he ought to regard me as having proved my
friendship for him by. the strongest possible testimony.
Here the debate terminated, and thus was the affair concluded
to the satisfaction of both parties. On this, they left the waggon and
took their place in the circle of attendant chieftains, to communicate
to them the result of our conversation.
When they left the waggon, others came and took their place,
seating themselves by me in the manner in which they were
accustomed to do, by their chief, and indulging their inquisitiveness in
examining with their eyes every thing within my sitting-place.
Every person in the enclosure seemed to have little or nothing to do;
all sat or walked about as if their time was useless: but, for this apparent
want of occupation, the presence of a white-man with his two
waggons loaded with goods of the most extraordinary kind, was a full
excuse; and it might be admitted, that in observing my person and
in satisfying their curiosity on so great a variety of novel objects,
their minds, at least, were actively employed. With this view
Mollemmi soon returned, with Molaali and several others j and as I
considered that whatever I did would amuse them, I took out my
journal to record a few facts and occurrences as they passed. Whenever
I wrote, the spectators watched the motion of my hand with
great attentiveness, and several of them evidently comprehended the
nature and intention of what I was doing.
When they had seen enough of writing to give them as clear a
notion of it as they were capable of, several, and more particularly
Mollemmi, became very desirous of knowing what was concealed
behind the canvas partition which parted off the sleeping-place from
that end of the waggon at which we were sitting; and although it
was explained to them that it was the place where I slept, and that
there was nothing in it but my bedding, they would hardly believe
me till some of them had taken a peep behind the curtain.
I had been previously aware that this place would be examined,
and had taken care at night to put into the chests upon which my
bedding lay, every thing which they were likely to covet, or which
might excite particular attention. Little therefore was visible but
such objects as were familiar, or well-known, to them; unless it was
some few articles of which I could not avoid making open use.
Similar precautions are of the highest importance, to a European
traveller in these countries ; but they require at the same time, to be
so managed as not to excite any suspicion of concealment; as such
suspicion might in some cases be more dangerous than an open
exposure of every thing; because, when once raised, it generally
leads the natives to imagine more riches to be concealed, than there
are in reality.
To pass away the time and give me opportunities of seeing
more of their character, I exhibited some drawings of animals, which
I had made on the journey. I found them quick of apprehension
and far superior in this respect to the Bushmen : they instantly knew
what objects my sketches were intended to resemble. One of these
drawings represented a Kanna (Eland) and a Hottentot in the attitude
of shooting it. With this subject they were excessively delighted;
and expressed their satisfaction by such loud laughter, that Mattivi