They drove with them several head of cattle, which I naturally considered to belong to the commissariat department, but learned they were taken for a far different purpose. On attacking an enemy's kraal, a Kaffir's first thought is to seize the cattle--his dearly-beloved cows. These, however, prove rather difficult to manage in a hasty retreat; but the strangers will speedily follow if headed by oxen who know the way, for in Caffraria, it seems, these animals are endowed with the same instinct as dogs possess in our country. Provisions, however, were sent with them, but to my idea, knowing the capacity of the Kaffir appetite, scarcely sufficient for half the time they said the expedition would take. Tugela told me that this was owing to a desire not to encumber the army more than possible; for which same reason the soldiers, save feathers and ornaments to show their rank, wore little clothing,--indeed, even in the Kaffir acceptation of the word, I might say none--not even taking with them the kaross, but sleeping without the least covering in the open air. I need hardly state that, as cunning, cruelty, and bloodshed are the leading points of warfare in Caffraria, I did not join this expedition. No doubt I should have been refused permission had I asked it. So, having watched the warriors off, I returned to the kraal to pass the time in the ordinary mode--attending to my cows and corn and tobacco patches, for so had my wealth increased, as I supposed, correctly as it proved, that little of much interest would transpire during the war party's absence. It happened, as I passed to my own hut, and casually looked in at several others--for I had now become on familiar terms with most of the families--that, at the principal warrior's dwelling, I found the wives hanging their husband's sleeping-mat, pillow, and apron upon a certain part of the wall. I should not have noticed this had it occurred merely once; but as I saw it repeated by many, repaired to Zenuta--a common practice of mine--to ask if there were any reason in what I had seen. "Oh yes!" she replied, "the wives hang them up so when their husbands are absent. They visit them every morning to see if they cast a shadow, for while they do she knows her husband is safe; but," she added, with a sudden lowering of her tone and manner, "if they do not, she feels he is dead--dead! and mourns him as if his companions had really brought the news. Oh!" she continued, with a deep sigh, "if you, Gabbrth,"--her mode of pronunciation--"if you had been a warrior, and had gone with the others, I should have done the same." I could not but be touched by this manifestation of womanly feeling, and, with a pressure of the hand and a smile, tried to show my gratitude.