berkeleyN LIBRARY I UNIVERSITY OF j CALIFORNIA J FIFTEEN MONTH? AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Fronthpiecc—Sce p. '<. Fifteen Months Among the Kaffirs. HV E. W. PHILLIPS. Illusiratea by W. E. BORROW. Londwi: DEAN & SON. I TMITEX), l6oa. Flett Street, E,C, THE WHOLE OF THIS WOEK, PAPEE, PEINTTNG AND BINDING, IS BEITISH PEODUCTION. LOAN STACK CHAPTER L A WORD ABOUT MYSELF. In the fishing village of Cornwall where I lived, the inhabitants were wont to predict for me a life of stirrinof adventure with not much success. At a vei'j early age I had looked to these people for my means of sustenance, and the memories of my 598 b FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. parents inspired them in many kindly acts, wln'cli, though poor themselves, they never begrudged. My father had been a fisherman and it was from him tliat I inherited my passion for the sea. All day long I would ramble among the rocks and cliffs that guarded the shore; never so happy as when roaming on their slippery and dangerous surfaces. If the weather were fine I paddled and bathed in the clear pools often getting within perilous proxi- mity to the jaws of death. When it was bois- terous, I perched on some crag and, only partly sheltered from the cutting, drifting rain, clung curlew-fashion to its rugged front; silently, but with infinite enjoyment, watching the mountainous waves break with noisy abandon on the beach. The sudden squall that capsized my father's smack proved also the death knell of my mother. When some friend told her that my parent and his two companions were drowned she was stupefied by the shock and died within a week. I was two years old when this double bereave- ment occurred, and notwithstanding that the few pounds my parents left would have procured me the protection of many an honest, good-hearted fisher- wife, I scorned all such control, and resisted every effort to prevent my perambulations among the FIFTEEN MOiNTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 7 rocks and pools. At times, I sheltered in Jack Brimscoinbe's cottage, for whose little blue-eyed daughter I had early shown a marked preference. As I advanced in years I rapidly acquired a store of nautical knowledge, and by assisting the fishermen in their odd jobs I soon became as skill- ful and experienced for my age as it was possible to be. The years passed on and my eighteenth birthday found me still in this hamlet without any settled plans for the future. One night — it w^as the day that commemorated my birth, — Jack Bruns- combe and myself were seated with the family in his snug, cabin-like parlour, when the conversation turned upon a subject that had been for many months the uppermost thought in my mind. " Brunscombe," said I, "you have repeatedly told me that, there is a bit of money I can claim when old enough to know how to use it.'* "Right Dick, my boy," replied the old man, removing his pipe from one side of his mouth to the other. '* It is the sum that the sale of your father's effects realized." "But, Brunscombe," I interrupted, "I do not consider it belongs to me. Have I not lived here ever since? The money is yours fair enough." " If you mean as a return for your board and 8 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. lodgin you had better take and cliuck it in the rocks and pools, for them alone 'as pervidcd for you." I laughed, and as I persisted, he continued. " No, lad, the money is yours. Never a penny will Jack Brunscombe touch. If when a little 'un you were any expense, you ve more than repaid it now you've growed up, for you've been a mighty help to me. But come, let's to the point. What made you put that question about the bit o' money to-night ? You'd some reason - so all fair and above board — fire your broadside. I'm prepared. What is it ? " *' Why, Brunscombe, I was thinking," I began, ** that if I really had a little money I would like to carry out a plan I have in my head." "And that?" " Why, to go to Liverpool or London, and enter the merchant service." " You find that there is no room here for your talents," he suggested, with a wink at Katie. "I certainly think it too circumscribed for a young man beginning life," was my answer. " You, yourself, Brunscombe, have not passed all your ex- istence here, though it is your native place as much as mine." flFTEIEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 9 ** Quite right, quite ; and joking apart, I think your proposal is the proper thing to do. So you may go into tlie town to-morrow, draw out the money, and then up to Liverpool. My old woman will write out a list of things necessary for your kit and you've heen your own master long enough to know how to judiciously expend the twenty pounds, for that's about the sum, I should imao'ine." The following morning I arose unusally early and >vondered out to take a final look at all my old surroundings. To each and all I hade a fervent, but silent adieu, and then, though the sun had not risen very much above the horizon, retraced my steps to the cottage. On nearing our home as I rounded a jutting boulder, I came suddenly upon Katie Brunscombe. She was seated on a large, loose rock, her small hands clasped her knees, and a bright kerchief shielded her shoulders from the cool breeze. Two little feet peered from beneath her coarse serge skirt, and beat gently to the rhythm of the waves. Her eyes were gazing intently on the sea as it sparkled ruddily in the morning sun, and the breeze played with her dainty curls, tossing them auriferous round her neck. The expression of 10 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Katie's face, so sadly tliouglitful, with teardrops glistening on her lashes, was such a marked con- trast to my own feelings that involuntarily I stopped in astonishment. After a few moments contemplation of the charming picture that she made, I slowly advanced and quietly slipping my arm round her waist — for we were as brother and sister — sat down beside her. She turned her blue eyes with a start upon mc, and a rosy colour rushed to her pretty cheeks as she strove to speak. Her attempts were all in vain, and bending her head and trying to free herself from my arms, she burst into a flood of tears. " What is the matter, darling ? " I asked, fairly puzzled at her behaviour, stupid dolt that I was. Then as the idea suddenly occurred to me, I added, " Is it, Katie, that you would rather I did not go away ? Ah, is it, darling ? *' She was silent; and still kept her face from me ; at last I managed to turn it round. As if a veil had fallen from both my eyes and heart I read her secret, and with that knowledge, I became conscious of my true feelings towards her. My arm still encircled her waist and as we strolled, up and clown, we talked about ourselves and our plans for the future. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 11 How sweet was tliiit communion. The world was before us and we had a store of courage and hope. What resolutions we entered on, and now at this distant date, how precious and sacred they still are. The time sped on and as we talked to each other my joy changed into sorrow. How long the con- versation would have continued I cannot guess, hut our sweet exchanges were interrupted by old Bruns- comhe summoning us to breakfast. So back we went to the cottage, lovers and bethrothed ! She to wear around her neck my lucky sixpence and I the possessor of a tress of her golden locks. The end must come, the future must be met and breakfast was hardly fait accompli before my guardian and I sailed round to the point of land nearest the town where he had deposited the money. It was soon withdrawn ; my purchases were made, including a bright ribbon and work-box for Katie, and bidding Brunscombe a warm farewell, I started for LiverpooL 12 FIFTEEN MU.NTHS AMOKG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER II. 'h-.Y ADVENTURES COMMENCE. OxV reacliiiig Liverpool, the delight with which I wandered about the vast docks and quays, can bo easily inaglned. The splendid ships, giants to those which I had so frequently in my imagination, filled me with astonishment as I gazed at their slender tapering masts and net-work of cordage ; I despaired in my heart of ever being able to dis- tinguish one rope from another. It so happened that at the time of my arrival there was a demand for sailors before the mast, and with mv knowledo-e of the sea it was not difficult to procure a berth. Thus on the third day I found myself enrolled as one of the crew of a splendid merchantman — the Columbus 2,500 tons, bound for Jamaica with a full cargo. To emulate Captain Marryat and Balantine in their stories of the sea would be vain indeed for me, so I shall pass over the first few years of my marine experience and come to the time when I shipped on board the Lively Ariel, merchantman, bound for Madras. r FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 15 In the years previous to this nothing of great moment had occurred. Katie was my wife, and with the cbildren always welcomed my return home. On my voyages I had brought home many curios which I had collected in the places I had visited, As this w^ould he the first time I had been in that part of the globe, I was no little delighted at the prospect of change, and promised Katie many Indian rarities, little dreaming what a long, long voyage I was about to take, and how vastly different would be things I really should bring home. A merciful Providence kindly hides the future from us, for the knowledge would make cowards of us all ; so, ignorant of what was to come, I bade her an affectionate farewell, tossed the crowing babies in my arms, and started on the longest voyage I ever made. It was a light favourable breeze with which we cleared out of the Mersey, and passed through St George's Channel with all sails set, and the ship with the graceful speed of an albatross gliding over the blue waves. With the wind thus in our favour, it was not long before we had lost sight of Cardigan Bay, passed the Scilly Islands, and entered the broad Atlantic ocean. We passed the Cape Verde Islands, which derive their names from being covered with IG FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. quantities of Adansoma or baobab trees, whose stems are at times 34 feet in circumference, though they rarely exceed 60 feet in height, and had passed some days before the weather at all changed. It was but for a brief space, as we had scarcely crossed the line, before the wind again chopped round to north, and so continued till we reached the Cape of Good Hope. Here we put in to water as our supplies were running short, and afterwards proceeded on our course, taking as it seemed the wind with us, for it speedily veered due south. One night during the middle watch, which jras mine, I was reflecting upon the wondrous beauties of nature, and thinking of Katie and the little ones at home, when my reverie, which had been running as smoothly as the ship glided over the billows, was broken by the voice of Tom Grimes, the boatswain. "Well, Dick Galbraith, this here's stunning weather, ain't it. Mt/ stars — I mean them at home and not those there big moons up yonder with which I've nothing to do — but in all my via^es, I've never made such a run as this.*' "No, indeed,'* I rejoined; " it seems almost too good to last." **Ah, that's it, my boy — that's it," answered FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 17 the old boatswain. " That's it ; we ain't in sight of Madras yety The stress on the List word made me say, '' Do you expect any change, Grimes ? Is had weather brewino' ? ** *' Rather," he replied ; " and when you have been a sailor as long as I have, and with as gray hair, you'll think so too. Haven't you noticed that the wind has slightly veered ? '* '' No," I said, instinctively putting his words to the test by wetting the palm of my hand and holdtng it up to the soft night breeze. "Yes, Grimes, you are right," I continued. '' It's S.S.W., and was due S. but an half-an-hour ago," " Yes, it's been varying from S. to S.W. and S.S.E. for the last hour, and may chop round to E. or N.E- and send a perfect hurricane in our teeth. It's mj) opinion that that is what is just will do." " Why ? '' I asked, lor old Tom Grimes was an oracle with the crew. " Why ? " my lad, why ? Becnuse — there just *iotice the vibration of the ship as she bounds over the waves — don't you notice a kind of imper- ceptible stress in the movement, and a slight recoil ? " "Well, I certainly do; yet it is so slight." 18 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. " Ah ! A hurricane can come from a cloud only the size of a man's hand, and that vibration shows a cross-sea running. Mark my words, Galbraith, we shan't go many days, if one, before there is an unpleasant change of weather.'* " Well, never mind, if we can only weather it." I laughed ; just then, the watch being changed, T went below and turned into my hammock, where, falling asleep, I forgot all about old Grimes' pro- phecies. The next morning's dawn, however, proved them only to be too true. The blue sky was overcast with large ominous-lookingclouds, while the wind had already veered round to E. The ship was close hauled for hard weather ; and just an hour after sunset, when about lat. 33 deg. 29 min. 8., long. 42 deg. 12 min. E., the gale struck us dead in our teeth. The heavens had suddenly become of an inky blackness. The heavy sea soon damped the decks which had been dry for several weeks, and the wind so increased that it was with dif- ficulty we held our course. As the violence of the storm increased the waves grew larger and larger, each time inflicting more damage than before. Ateach succeeding wave the ship perceptibly quivered. The sails started their bolt ropes, and were lost in the darkness to leeward FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 19 The strips of the torn fore to'gallant sail cracked like huge whips in the blast. The vessel laboured deeper and deeper in the trough of the sea. Each man that night had his full share of duty ; and I noticed the captain anxiously glancing at the rigging. All at once he gave his speaking trumpet to the mate and went below to his cabin. He returned in a few moments, but his face had assumed a serious aspect. " Sanders, I fear we are in a bad way." " Where abouts are we, sir ? " questioned the mate. " Heaven only knows. We've been drifting so much that I fancy we are near the African coast — near I fear.*' " I reckon," said the mate, " that we are not far from the Mozambique." "Perhaps. Would to Heaven I could catch a glimpse of the Southern Cross. We might then have a chance of making Natal or Delagoa Bay." He turned his eyes up at the impenetrable black- ness. The situation seemed hopeless. There was not a sign of the storm breaking. Hardly had I noted this when a shout of terror escaped from the lips of the whole crew. An un- usually ferocious blast of wind, accompanied by a 20 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. rapid series of mountainous waves, had carried away at one sweep the jib-hoom, fore- top-mast, gallant-mast, and royal-mast, leaving them still clinging to the ship by the stays. Their heavy weight impeded her progress and caused the ship to list in an exceedingly dangerous fashion. At one moment she was almost capsizing when with a hound she righted herself again. The wreckage had been cut a drift, but at the price of two lives. Every man was doubly precious in this hour of peril, and the loss of two from a sudden lurch when clearing away the masts left us straitened. Our peril was not yet at its worst : for hardly had a short calm followed this last damao^e than the carpenter announced that the ship had sprung a leak. The water was even then rising in the hold. "All hands to the pumps,'* ordered the captain, and the men wearied beyond apparent endurance before, were animated with fresh strength at this danger and worked like giants. Their labour was of little avail. Despite the most heroic efforts the inrush of the water in no- wise abated. First it was a gain of a few inches ; then the lead showed a depth of a foot. It only seemed a second and that was doubled. The doom of the ship was sealed; with the strength of FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 21 fifty giants, the work at the pumps would be useless. She was sinking, sinking rapidly into the midst of that black, boiling, awful sea If all men's hearts grew faint at the news, was it a matter of wonder ? Even the captain's cheek was pale as he gave the order to lower the boats, a command speedily obeyed, but which only dis- closed fresh disaters. It was found that the star- board lifeboat had gone. The starboard cutter remained, aad with great difficulty it was lowered^, to leeward, when it was soon filled by some of the crew. I stood by the captain, determined not to desert him. Cutting away the ropes, we watched the cutter take its course. It was a short one, suddenly a white-crested wave caught it and it; the boat instantly filled and foundered — a terrific cry burst- ing from its wretched freight, echoed by all on the doomed ship. We were powerless to aid the struggling mass of human beings. The captain gave one lingering look, and uttered a short prayer for them and for us. Their desperate strug- gles were soon terminated. Turning round with tears in his eyes he wrung my hand and said : " Galbraith, my man, our time will come next— our hour is at hand. Orders now have become 22 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. useless. We must part. The ship's fate is sealed, and so, I believe, is ours. God help us ! Let each look for what safety he can. Goodbye— farewell — my men ! God have mercy upon us ! Should any chance to survive this terrible night, let him take the last farewells of those less fortunate to the dear ones left at home." A sad cheer rose from the poor fellows' throats, and solemnly the captain, raising his eyes to heaven, uttered a brief appeal to God for himself and his crew — an appeal fervently repeated by each man. Then one and all sought some spar or other to which to attach himself, and thus await death ; for there was but little chance that any there would survive to take home those solemn farewells. One by one I saw my companions borne over- board by the giant waves till I grew sick at the thought that my turn would be the next. But not yet — the brave captain went first. Then, sud- denly, death seemed to seize me — the sea was all about me — its horrible rushing was in my ^rs, and I felt sinking — sinking to the bottom of the ocean. I believed for the moment I lost conscious- ness ; but when I came to, I was again on the surface of the waters, rising like a cork upon the waves. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIUS. '25 Thus I floated here and- there for many Lours, it seemed to me — though it could not have been one Alone on the ocean — alone, for all I knew ; as far as I could see, from the summit of some great billow, not a vestige of the fine ship, or her crew, , was in sight. Abruptly, almost as suddenly as it had risen, the hurricane ceased. As it did so, I became aware of the sound, so well known to sailors, of breakers in the direction to which I was driving head first. In vain I strove to turn, to ascertain whether the rocks to which I was evidently hastening were below the surface. If the former, with such a surf running, I must assuredly be dashed to pieces. All around was a vast expanse of boiling foam, in which I was ceaselessly buff'eted. I was wondering how long my agony would be continued, when a wave tossed me among a mass of sharp pointed rocks. Existence here would have been of short duration had not another billow, more kind than the first, raised me in its arms and thrown me 'over the reef into comparatively calm water. A few seconds after, I fancied my feet touched land. I waited anxiously for the next wave. Yes — land it was, and oh, thank Heaven ! the tide was run- 26 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Putting out one of my arms, I strove to aid my progress. As if wearied of its terrible play, the ocean, rolling over and over, deposited me on a sandy beach. Fearful that it might repent of its .kindness, and drag me back again, I managed to free myself entirely from the spar. Then, faint and staggering — for, besides my exertions, the jagged rocks had bruised me, I crawled far up the beach, till my hand touched some plant that I knew by its fresh dryness had not been covered by the sea. Thus 1 felt assured that I Tvas safe. I sank down insensible ; ignorant, and indifferent as to portion of the African coast on which I had been thrown. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 27 CHAPTER III. COMPANIONS IN TROUBLE — ^A SURPRISE. It was, as far as I could calculate, some three hours after sunrise, before I returned to conscious- ness, to find myself weak and in some little pain from the bruises occasioned by the reef, among whose jagged points the sea had so unmercifully tossed me. My first glance rested on my clothes, only a pair of duck trousers and a red shirt, which to my no little vexation, I found had sufi*ered but slightly better than their master, for they were rent and torn in various places. Very curious and very anxious I partially rose up and endeavoured to take my bearings. The sea, in wonderful contrast to tbe condition in which I had last seen it, now lay some distance from me glistening beneath the tropical sun. Its emerald green surface was scarcely disturbed by the little wavelets as they lapped the beach. Their placid murmuring was as deceitful as the purring of a tiger. • 28 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS, The broad expanse of sea told me nothing about the locality. I was perfectly ignorant of tropical scenery, and as my eyes feasted on it I was filled with wonder and admiration. In the distance was a stretch of land covered by a forest of noble trees ; I was perfectly unacquainted with one specie of which, there were many specimens. Beyond were gently undulating hills, clothed with a strange and splendid vegetation, that stretched to the water's edge, concealing in places the rugged treachery of the rocks. Never had I seen a more beautiful landscape, nor one so eloquent of repose — though one in my position would have preferred signs of humanity. From its appearance, 1 might have imagined it some terrestrial paradise untrodden yet by the foot of man. I could not contemplate this Southern Eden for long however, as nature began to assert itself, and I became aware that I was exceedingly hungry. I staggered to my feet and determined to cautiously search for something to eat, and also to inspect the country. First, however, feeling the aw fulness of the death of my companions, I knelt down and thanked (jod for preserving me. I humbly besought Him in His mercy yet to con- tinue with me in jpy trouble. Trouble truly, for I FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 29 had frequently heard that these quiet, beautiful spots of nature, especially in this part of the wdrld, not uiifrequently sheltered all manner of wild ani- mals, and tribes of men but little less savage in their dispositions. Therefore I regarded the cool $hade of the forest trees with distrust, knowing that even from the luxuriant bushes of the flowering mimosa, at that moment some fierce inhabitant of the forest migth be waiting to seize its prey. On this account and being quite defenceless I considered it wise to merely skirt the forest, though a tro- pical sun was pouring its intense rays on my head. While searching for something to stay the pangs of hunger I fortunately lighted upon a banana tree, the fruit of which I immediately re- cognised. The fruit of this tree, now so generally known, is usually from four to five inches long shaped something like a cucumber, and grows in great bunches that weigh twelve pounds and up- wards. Here, however, 1 was perfectly aston- ished at their immense size, doubling, if not treb- ling, those in other parts of the world. With the aid of' a sticA and a little climbinor I manao:ed to procure sufficient to satisfy my hunger. My wants respecting breakfast being appeased, I 30 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. determined to make for a ridge of rocks which, jutting into the sea, formed a small promontory. The place where I had heen heached was the shore of a small secluded hay, which easily accounted for the calmness of the water when I had passed the reef. I hoped there to find shelter from the hroil- ing sun, which was beginning most unpleasantly to blister my skin where it showed through my tatterd clothes ; the banana leaf which I had gathered admirably protected my head. I had secured it by means of a piece of the stem of a parasitical plant which I found growing nearly everywhere on the forest trees. The name of this creeper I learned later to be Cynanchum ohtuoi- jolium^ and very beautiful it is. The Dutch settlers, however, call it Bavian-tow, or baboon ropes, because by their aid, baboons and monkeys climb the trees to gather fruit. The Kaffirs also use these ropes to lash together the thatch of their huts. It may seem strange that if the creepers are strong enough to support baboons, and serve as cordage, that I should be able to break them asunder. In explanation, I may say that firstly the commencement of the fihiments are scarcely stronger than pack-tliread, but grow thicker and thicker, till FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 31 about the size of a man's arm. Secondly, by a happy chance, the large clasp-knife — the sailor's constant companion and friend — which I always carried in my pocket, yet remained to me, despite the buffeting I had received. While talking of plants, I will here mention one that particularly attracted my attention, and whose unpleasant nature I was not yet to discover. It grew along the ground or hung in festoons from bush to bush, and at the time 1 saw it, was one mass of splendid purple bloom ; but what mostly drew my notice, was that all along its branches there were strong sharp thorns, like hooks, arranged in pairs, looking just as if they were traps placed by some hunting lion, to catch his victim and hold it till his majesty chose to dine. Fortunately for me, in spite of its beautiful blossoms, I was too anxious respecting by position to inspect it more closely, but hurried on eagerly. My intention was to get to the, rocks where I resolved to remain if I could pos- sibly do so, in order to be ever on the watch and near at hand should any ship pass within sight of the shore. On reaching the base, I began cautiously to climb to the summit — no difficult task, as the face was extremely rugged, being composed of masses of 32 FIFTEEN MONTHS AM'JNO THE KAFFIRS. rock, forming ledges and huge gaping crevices, covered with lichen, mimosas and hard-spined cacti. At the first outset, however, I was much startled hy a sudden rushing among the hushes, as of some animal close hy. Not knowing what it might be, I quickly drew back, but my fright speedily sub- sided, when I saw a little creature closely resembling a rabbit, dash across my path evidently as much afraid of me as I had been of him. Continuing my way, I mentally resolved that if by dinner time I came across another such a little gentleman, I would try to catch it for that repast. I had nearly reached tlie top of the promontory when my terror was again renewed. I fancied I beared tlie murmur of voices above, coming in my direction. Instantly I crouched down among the bushes and scarcely dared to breath. There were people here then, but the question was, who were they ? From the appearance of the land I felt certain there could be no English settlers hereabouts— therefore it was evident tliat the in- habitants must belong to the savage tribes. The unpleasant doubts that arose in my mind as to their attitude towards the white man did not tend to allay my fears. 1 therefore resolved to avoid beino' seen, at any rate till I had made further FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 33 inspections. I had no desire to serve for the dinner of a hungry Kaffir family, or even, if not cannibals, to be tortured for their amusement. Hidden from view I listened anxiously. All was silent ; and I seemed to catch the voices of people whispering in very low tones. Had they discovered my prox- imity, and were also watching preparatory to makino' a seizure ? I knew that, hold as the Kaffirs are in a body, in a single attack they are cunning and fond of strategy. Therefore if I had been perceived, they might be at that very moment stealthily encircling the bushes where I lay. At this thought I crouched still lower, and cannot divine how lonof a time I remained there, my danger and the suspense making it appear far longer than it really was. After a time the very silence made me nervous, and I determined, though totally unarmed, to recon- noitre the top of the promontory. I had certainly heard voices, but perhaps the speakers had passed on, really unaware of my presence. If this were not the case, it was better to brave it out than to die like a dog without making any resistance. Besides, if the natives were so close, the place was no safe retreat for me, unless they happened to be friendly. 34 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Stealthily quitting the bushes, and softly clinihiiiir the intervening space, I seized the ledge and puCiiig myself up to its level, looked over. I had hardly done this when I was so startled that I nearly let go my hold and fell hack among the rocks. The first object that my view was a human face that glared savagely at mine. My exclamation of sur- prise was echoed by one of no friendly character, accompanied by a rounded English oath. A heavy stick was poised in the air, and would have in- evitably ended the career of Richard Galbraith, had I not cried jout ust in time. "Good heavens! Jack Thompson, is that you and alive ? " The stick dropped from his hands, for it was indeed no other than the third mate of the wrecked ship ; and with a second exclamation he pulled me on to the ledge. "Why, Dick Galbraith! Spars and rope-yarns, but you only spoke in time. Lord forgive m^' but with that there gigantic cabbage leaf over your head, I took you for some savage cannibal." In truth, I must have presented a strange figure , and despite our position, I could not help indulging in a laugh at Jack Thompson's expense. Speedily checkinff it, I asked with much concern how he AN UNEXPFC'JEU MEETING. FIFTt-EN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 37 had been saved, and wlietlier there were any more of the crew as fortunate as ourselves. ^ " Only one more that I know of,'' replied Jack, that's the young minister chap as was alius reading." " What, the Reverend Mr. Ferguson, the mission- ary that we were to set ashore in Madagascar ? '' " Yes, that's him, and I must say he improves upon acquaintance. I confess I didn't think much of him on board, with his preachifying ; but dash my top-sail if he aint a jolly fellow in the moment of trouble, with all his pale quiet face. Aye, he's as cheerful as a sandboy, and somehow, his little bit of scriptur now seems rather consoling than otherwise." " But how, in Heaven's name, did you escape from those terrible waves ? " "Why, much about the same way you did, I guess. We lashed ourselves to spars, and after a bit of severe tossing, got pitched up on this here shore." " And what made you come to these rocks ? " " Why to seek shelter from that blessed furnace of a sun." '' And," I added eagerly, " have you seen any of the natives ? " 38 FIFTEEN MOxNTIIS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. " JS'o, but we tliouglit we heard one about half an hour ago," said a voice behind me. Looking round, I saw it belonged to the young missionary, wlio was standing looking down upon us, for we were seated on the rock. "However," he con- tinued, " the native has turned out to be no othei than a fellow-companion in distress." The Reverend Mr. Ferguson had a slim, gentle- manly figure, and a pale, thoughtful, studious face. It was frequently lighted up by the most pleasant and kindly smiles. " Thank God,'' he added devoutly, as he raised his eyes heavenward, "that there is another of us saved." As Jack Thompson had said, Mr. Ferguson's " preachifving " no longer seemed out of place; and for myself, I am sure in my heart I most devoutly said Amen to the thanksgiving. Then, getting up, I asked if he could at all tell in what part of Kaffraria we were — for that we were some- where on that coast I was certain. " From the few observations I have bean able to make, I fancy this spot must be between Delagoa Bay and Natal,'* he replied. "And the natives. Sir?" put in Jack Thompson. " Of them I know little by recent report, save FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 39 that some of the tribes are friendly, while others are very hostile to the white man." '* Pray Heaven," I ejaculated, ** that we may signal a ship before there is time to make their ac(|uaintance." " If it be Heaven's will, yes," rejoined the mis- sionary, fervently. ** But who knows : He may have cast us on these shores as a littino- soil to plant the seeds of His religion, which alone can give eternal happiness.'' Jack and I made no answer, for as yet we were too worldly and weak of faith to feel as resigned to the ways of Providence as this self-sacrificing young miniiter, whose constant study was his Master's will. " But come," he added cheerfully, " now we find it is only an old comrade who has been frightening us for the last half hour, let us continue our search for shelter and rest." Instantly concurring in this proposal, we soon found an overhanging roclc^ \\ hich formed a species of cave, the inside being well sheltered from the view of anyone on the outside by thickly tangled mimosa, and other bushes. Into this we crept, nfter I had had the good fortune to knock over one of the little animals such as I had previously observed, and which Mr. Ferguson 40 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. informed us was called a hyrax, or rock rabbit. They were very plentiful on this coast. When we were all three inside the cave, we began to prepare our dinner. Jack skinned (lie hyrax, while I looked about for the means to kindle the dry branches I had collected for the fire. I had, I am sorry to say, never thought much of book- learning, but now I was to discover its immense value. While still puzzling my brains as to how procure a spark, Mr. Ferguson who had quitted the cave after borrowing my knife, and was now re- ti'ning bringing two pieces of wood, one flat, the other of a different kind, sharpened to a keen point. " Is that touchwood, Sir," I asked eagerly. " Well, yes," he replied with a smile. " I will show you how the natives of Abyssinia, and I believe of this place also, procure fire when they want it. This," he added, holding out the flat piece, "is a soft wood; this pointed stick is of the hard acacia. Now be ready to help when I want you." So saying, he sat down, holding the flat piece of wood firmly on the ground with his feet; then, placing the pointed acacia stick vertically upon it, he began twirling it rapidly between the palms of his hands. FIFTEEN MOxNTIlS AMONG TIU: KAFFIRS. 41 Jack and I attentively watclied the process, and soon saw the hard point make its way slowly into the other, producing a fine dust, which presently hcgan to darken in colour, and finally to smoke ; upon this, hy Mr. Ferguson's orders we blew softly and a flame springing up, the wood ignited. " Well, that's stunning, at any rate ! " cried Jack, as the flame began to kindle the heap of branches. " Yes ; but we must not let the smoke be seen, else it will warn any keen-eyed Kaffir, who may be in the neighbourhood.'* All of us now set to work, and in this involuntary picnic began to forget the dangers which encom- passed us. A first-rate dinner we made, and, for my part, it tasted all the better for the short but earnest blessing Mr. Ferguson asked for it. After- wards he insisted that Jack and I should take some sleep, of which we all stood in great need, saying it was necessary for one to remain awake, and that he would take the first watch, arousing one of us when our turn came. To use an old expression, we w^ere really dog- tired, and notwithstanding the hardness of our beds, scarcely a minute elapsed before I was sleeping soundly. However, just before falling off", I heard 42 FIFTEEN MOiNTiiS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Mr. Ferguson tell J;ick that if he snored so loud lie would arouse all KatFraria. I am asliamed lo con- fess it even now, but so tired were we, tliat Jack and I never woke for our watch, and the kind- hearted young clergyman never disturbed us, though he must have been quite as weary as ourselves. We had been asleep some hours. The sun had set, and a large, glorious-faced moon was shining upon this wild and splendid land with all its bril- liancy. A hand placed on my shoulder aroased nic thoroudilv. At the same moment Mr. Fero;uson whispered in my ear — *' Richard — Richard Galbraith, get up ; I believe our retreat is discovered, and the Kaffirs are upon us. Fli'lEEN MOxMllS AMO^ti THE KAFi'lRS. 4o CHAPTER IV. A VISIT FROM A NATIVE. — THE MERCY OF PROVIDENCE. The moon streamed in through bushes outside the cave. Its silvery light threw fantastic shadows upon the minister and myself, and on Jack Thomp- son, still sleeping in the further corner. The moon being very high in the heavens, the ground under the bushes was left in inky dark- ness, and it was in this direction that I caught the sound of a stealthy movement. With abated brea!h, I half raised myself on my elbow. The minister knelt by my side ; his left hand clutched my arm. His face was turned towards the entrance of the cave, and with a finger raised to his lips he commanded silence. We felt that our lives trembled in the balance ; and, scarcely twitching a muscle, we held our watch. The stealthy rustling among the bushes con- tinued. It was evidently coming nearer. Once I 44 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. signalled to Mr. Ferguson that Jack Thompson ought to be awakened. Bending to me he whispered, "I am afraid to do so. Our presence may yet he unknown and Thompson makes such a noise that for our mutual safety he had hetter remain as he is." " If not conscious of our presence," I continued in the same low tone, "why are they here? Is it for fishing ? " The missionary shook his head, as he replied, " Scarcely. Why they are here I cannot tell, hut certainly not for fishing, for the Kaffirs never cat fish. They ahhor fish and cannot understand other people liking it." A few minutes passed in silence. The cautious sound still approached. It seemed to be opposite our retreat. A strange crackling noise startled me and peering closely into the bushes I discovered its cause. " Heaven have mercy upon us I " I eja- culated. " What is it, Galbraith ? " asked Ferguson eagerly, bending down to me. " See," I whispered. " See— the lion." And there it stood, its fiery eyes glaring in upon us, or rather into the cave. I felt the tremor in my own frame spread to my ATTACKED BY A LION, FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 47 companion's, and I made an effort to rise so as to be on my guard; but Ferguson prevented me, whispering, " Make no noise, Galbraith, he may pass on." I shook my head as I pointed to the fresh skin of the hyrax, the smell of which had no doubt attracted the animal. He understood my sign, and like statues — for we felt how utterly powerless we were — we waited, our eyes fixed on the foe. Even in that terrible moment, I could not help thinking how justly the lion had been termed the king of beasts. To see him properly, if not com- fortably, is to see him in the wild freedom of his natural state. The grandness of his head, the rich tawny hue, the eyes bright as fire, the graceful, flowinor mane, are beauties of nature which are lost when the fierce bold spirit is caged. But I had little time, had I even the inclination, to take a long survey, for with his flexible yet massive paw he crushed down the remaining barrier of mimosa, and prepared to spring. As I noted the action, the twisting, quivering movement of the lithe, cat-like body, all its muscles contracted ready for the effort, the cry of terror remained frozen on my lips — it seemed to me that I had turned to stone. The next moment, however. 48 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. I was aroused by a sliarp ejaculation of horror from the missionary. Starting forward he seized the heavy stick I had cut from the bush. *' Merciful Heaven ! Look there, Galbraith," he cried. "Jack Thompson — the terrible brute will have him. For God's sake, let us save the poor fellow ! " The words were scarcely uttered, when the beast with a roar sprang upon his victim. Like a flash of light his heavy body rose through the air, and the next instant its fearful teeth had fastened upon the poor fellow's shoulder. The mate awoke with a terrific scream : then seeing those fearful, relentless eyes glaring upon him, he fainted. The shock was too great and he lay like one dead. In the meanwhile the minister and I were not idle. Though we felt our efforts must be futile, we yei could not see our companion thus carried off without resistance. The lion had already begun to back out of the cave, dragging its prey after him. Opening my knife, I bade the minister stand clear, and prepared to spring upon the animal. As if conscious of my design, it kept its gleaming eyes upon mine, and stopping with a low, angry growl, seemed to await my attack with disdainful contempt, never, however, letting go poor Jack. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 49 who now, with returning consciousness, began to moan piteously. *' Great God have mercy on him,'* I heard Ferguson exclaim. "You can never help him. Galbraith; lions are not killed with pen-knives, and the beast has already guessed your purpose. It will be your death as well as Thompson's." " I will try sometliing," I muttered, never taking my eyes from the lion s. I had heard how great the power of the human glance is over animals, and, certainly mine seemed to hold him spellbound. Suddenly, a thought struck me. I remembered the thick bushes that hung over the top of the cave, and hurriedly said to the minister — " Our only chance, if we have any, is to make a general attack. Will you, by the help of the bushes, climb to the top of the cave — I feel he will not move yet — while I keep my eyes on his. Then when I call you drop on him with that pointed stick while I will spring at his throat with my knife. AVe may at least startle him into making a retreat — only for the love of Heaven be quick! or Thompson will recover, and, by his struggles, change the animal's position!" In a moment, though the act was so perilous, and indeed, was likely to end in three lives being 50 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. sacrificed instead of one, the young minister was climbin£; the bushes. Anxiously I waited, still keeping my eyes on the lion, which at the sound of the rustling branches, began to beat bis tail ominously. By sense of hearing I tried to divine how Fergu- son was progressing, and was congratulating myself on the certainty that he must be near the top, when I was horrified to perceive that the lion, suddenly loosing Thompson, intended to make me his victim. I felt my fate was sealed. Thoughts of home, of Katie, of my little ones, rushed with the speed of light to my brain, while my heart grew sick. A prayer escaped my lips, as I saw the wide, blood-red jaws expand to seize me, and the body rise with a noiseless spring. Tottering back, I felt in imagination the hot breath of the animal on my face — his teeth in my flesh, when a crushing noise rang abruptly in my ears, followed by a cry of fear, and a howl of agony from the lion. Then a cloud of blinding dust enveloped me, and I fell back stunned against the wall of the cave. It was some seconds before I could clear my eyes sufficiently to look for the cause of the noise, the dust, and of my yet being untouched by the lion, whose moans I heard. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 5 1 On looking up, I saw to my surprise that the moonlight now streamed in at the top of the cave instead of the front which was blocked by a great mass of rock. Under this, writhing in agony, and utterly powerless, his hind quarters being crushed beneath the weight, lay the lion. How the rock had come there, and what was the fate of my companions were mysteries. I was striving to collect my confused senses in order to make a search, when the head and then the body of Ferguson appeared above the fallen rock. " Galbraith, in mercy speak if you are still alive !" he cried in accents of terror. "I am all right. Sir," I answered, "but for Heaven's sake tell me how all this happened." " I hardly know — I was climbing the rock when, as I neared the top, I fancied the bush was giving way. I should have fallen just in front of the lion's jaws, so with the instinct of self-preserva- tion sprang out among the bushes beneath. No sooner had I done so, then I heard a terrific noise accompanied by a fall, and, turning, perceived there had been a landslip, the mouth of the cave being barricaded by this rock." "And it has saved our lives," I ejaculated. "The hand of Providence is in it, Sir. We were 52 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. helpless, and it has saved us by a miracle. The lion is half-crushed by its fall and will soon be dead. I can hear Thompson moaning; come in, Sir, and help him." Ferguson instantly sprang down, as I with my clasp-knife killed the now half- dead lion. We quickly discovered Jack, and found it was the second narrow escape from death which he had had in the last hour, for the rock was scarcely an inch from his head. Drawing him away we bound up his shoulder with the tails of our shirts. The attack of the lion served to show the posi- bilities of its being renewed by other animals. It was imperious for us to find securer quarters, and our removal had to take place at once. The con- dition of Jack was a great drawback, his wounds preventing our going any great distance. The edge of the sea would enable us to keep a look out foi passing vessels, and also to bathe our sore and much tired bodies. Thither we preceded. Once Jack swooned, and it appeared probable that we should have to stop where we were. After a while he /iianaged to continue, and on reaching the sea he bathed his wounds, which greatly refreshed him. Tlie adventures of the night had driven sloop iVoin our eyes; we sat down to wait for dawn, though FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 53 wiiat fresh perils it might bring us was a question we did not care to contemplate. We were lying silently on the beach, watching the phosphorescent waves glisten in the silver rays of the moon, when Mr. Furguson, who had re- mained so motionless that I had believed him to be asleep, broke the peaceful quietness by speaking. " I have been reflecting," said he ; " our wisest plan will be to make across country, for unarmed as we are, we are liable to find the animals about about here as dangerous as the natives, who possibly might be friendly and hospitable should we fall in with them." 1 liad not much trust in the latter hope, for I had heard many travellers' tales respecting the Katiirs, but J answered — *' You know best, and I think you are right." " At any rate, God will be with us wherever we may go," he added. " We must trust in Him, he has already saved us from one terrible danger," " Wlicn shall we start ? " " Not till dawn," he rejoined. " I have been looking at the stars, also at that headland, and re- calling all T have read and seen respecting this coast, I fancy Natal cannot be far off. Who knows but while we are endangering our lives here, some 54 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. English or Dutch settlement may be at the other side of the headland ? " "You are right, Sir," said Jack, interpolating; " I'm blessed if you ain't ; and if the Dutch only have their schnapps with 'm, I shall be uncom- monly dad, for I feel as if I wanted somethinof to stir me up." " I vote," he went on " that we start at once." "No, Jack," said the minister; "there are several reasons for not doing so — first, a few hours rest wdll do us good ; secondly, you must have the bandage round your shoulder wetted again and again to keep down the inflammation ; and thirdly, as wc pass through the bush, we had better do so when the beasts of prey have returned to their lairs, for I suspect the visit of one has been already quite enough for you." "Too much, and your third reason is stronger than all the rest put together; we shall have to ke(^p on bathing these wretched scratches and wait for dawn." As the hours advanced, the beautiful Southern constellations, the Columba Noachi, or Noah's dove, the Crux Australis, or Southern Cross — the guiding star of the southern hemisphere, appeared rather to grow brighter than more faint; and it seemed an FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 55 age before the first golden streaks of the sun shot up into the sky. No sooner had they done so, than . I awoke Jack, and we started for the bush. On our way we began really to believe that the place was uninhabited by man, for in the distance we saw nothing to resemble a human being, either black or white ; while our own progress, remaining so uninterrupted, proved we had not attracted ob- servation, which we could scarcely have failed to do had there been any natives near. On entering the bush we managed to make a breakfast off some fruits procured from the coiled-up leaves of the plantain which the minister knew to be "harmless. We got sufficient water to slake our burning thirst. We had not gone far, before Mr. Ferguson saved me by a quick jerk backwards from the grip of one of those thorns I have before re- ferred to. He informed us that it was a plant very plentiful in the bush, know by the name of uncaria procumbms^ from its manner of trailing along the ground and also called the hook thorn, being armed, as 1 had noticed, with strong hooks. Besides those on the branches, the seed vessels at the time of breaking are covered on both sides with hooked thorns, which possess such strength and sharpness, that their grasp is with difficulty avoided by the 56 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. natives ; while when once the unfortunate European is caught, all his efforts to escape serve but to fasten hiin the tighter ; for the action of unhooking one thorn only causes him to be seized by a dozen. Indeed, without aid it is almost impossible for him to get away. There is another kind called the Karra-dorn or white thorn, found generally on the baiiks of rivers, whose thorns are nearly seven inches long, and of such strength and sharpness that a lion has been known to have been impaled on them, and died of the wounds inflicted. Hearing this account of them, I greatly rejoiced at my good fortune which had kept me from too close a proximity, when first seeing them in the bush. Mr. Ferguson's anecdotes pleasantly whiled away the time; and to our relief we came across no more savage animals than monkeys, who, as we ])assed, jabbered and chattered in hundreds from the trees above. Frequently, however, the hook thorn pre- sented impenetrable barriers across our patli, com- pelling us to turn out of our course ; and more than once, I know the thought occurred to all that we might be lost in the bush. But Mr. Ferguson kept a constant watch on the sun, and encou- raged Jack with comforting words when his strength FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFEIES. i> i beijan to fail, for his wounds liai made him weak and hopeless. We must, I am sure, have been ten hours in the wool before the trees grew less thickly together, and thus permitted us to make more rapid progress. In another hour we had got to the outskirts of the forest and it was when that we caught our first sight of the natives. "Jack, look, Ave have got the natives at last. Do you see them, Ferguson ? '* "/ do," responded Jack, "and a rum set of. outlandish niggers they are. Lor, who can expect to be understood, much less receive hospitality from them. Far more likely to give us a warmer reception than we care for. But what on earth arc they about ? " "'They are evidently performing some native ceremony," said Mr. Ferguson. But the description of the tribe of Kaffirs we had come upon, and the ceremony in which they wore taking part, I shall leave for the commence- ment of the next chapter. 5S FIFTEEN MOiNTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. fl^ CHAPTER V. JACK AGAIN IN GRIEF — THE KAFFIRS ! — CAPTURED. The stretcli of country so suddenly disclosed to our view was one of surpassing loveliness. We liad much diverged from our path, owing to the im- pervious walls of the hook thorn. The sea was no longer visihle; indeed, it might have heen miles away, the country had such an air of inland vege- tation. The vast plain that lay hefore us slightly sloped till near the centre, where it hecauic flat, and like the sides, covered by grass of a splendid emerald green. Around this, on our side and to the left, was the hush; the peculiar and splendid trees and parasitical plants composing it, imparting a general picturesqueness to the scene. Before us, a slight elevation closed in the horizon, while to the right a range of rocks, covered with vegetation added a rugged beauty to the view. Between this was a foamino: cataract which bounded from rock to rock, bathed in the evening sunlight, The noise of the rushing, tumbling waters came to us only as a pleasant murmur, being softened by the distance. OUK FIRST SIGHT Ul THl. KA1F1K>. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMOxNQ THE KAFFIRS. 61 On a closer acquaintance with the cataract 1 found it fell into a dark gloomy ravine, dense with vegetation, whose foliage concealed the trails of the wary lion, wild cat, and tiger, the sinuous, grace- ful movements of the deadly serpent, and other venemous reptiles. In the centre of the plain was a gathering of blacks, whom the missionary instantly declared to be Kaffirs. We were too far off to distinguish features, hut I was very much surprised to find them of a good height, slim, with an erect carriage, and an easy grace in all their movements. Nevertheless, any man, had he been an Adonis, would scarcely have looked anything but grotesque and comical when going through the antics these men were per- forming, and which evidently were intended as a commemoration of some triumph. Facing us, at the further side, sat a Kaffir. no doubt a chief, from the authority he seemed to exercise. The above description of the race does not extend to him, for he was of the most bulky and un wieldly build imaginable. His dress ap- parently consisted of two aprons of fur or feather, fastened round the waist, so as to fall in front and behind. Several bracelets decked his podgy arms, whi e his head which was entirely innocent of liaii-. 62 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. was ornamented with a dark rino:. A larore round tuft of some material was also fastened to the top of the forehead like that on a private soldier's hat. By his side was a roughly made utensil from which he continually drank. Extended on the ground hefore him were the carcasses of several recently slauditered animals. In front of this individual several of the Kaffirs had assembled, dressed in a similar fashion, but without the tuft on the forehead, and dancing the wildest dance I ever saw. They evidently moved according to some rude idea of figure, the time being perfect. Each waved in one hand a kind ot spear, ornamented with a bunch of feathers, and in the other carried a large oval shield. They stood in lines, advanced and retired in perfect order, all the while shouting, singing, and working themselves apparently to the highest pitch of wild frenzy. " I say, Galbraith," said Thompson, as, concealed in the bush, we watched their fierce movements and listened to their horrible yelling, "they are not quite the right sort of customers to which I care to trust my life, though I ain't more particular about it than other folk.'' I nodded acquiescence, when Ferguson, over- hearing Jack, put in : FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 63 " They certainly do not look very peacefully in- clined, yet we ought not to judge them from what we see of them now." "I can say, for myself." replied Jack, "that I don't care to see them again. So rather let my verdict stand.** "No douht," laughed the missionary, "yet the ceremony to me seems a harmless one, I fancy it is a rejoicing after a successful hunting expedition. Look at the game heside them." "By that little fat man," said Jack. "Lor! what a sight of good things he must have eaten to have reached such a girth." "What do you say, Thompson," laughed Fer- guson, " shall we make a descent on them, or no ? " There was an eloquent silence on the part of Jack. The missionary turned to me — "Well, Galbraith, what do you say? With the few resources we have here, starvation may soon be our lot, if we are not previously devoured by some of the fierce denizens of the bush.*' " That is true," I replied, " and I have no desire for either one or the other. If 1 had but a rifle and a few rounds of powder and ball, I would not fear, Crusoe-like, living on these shores, despite tlie animals and those black dancers, till I could hail a 64 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. ship ; but the ocean is not kind to us as to him, and has not cast up chests containing just the things we want. Still, as to joining those gentle- men-in-undress below there, I confess I am rather of Jack's opinion, for those frantic movements with the spear, and blood-curdling yells scarcely luok friendly." " You are probably right, Galbraith ; yet were I alone, it would be my duty as a true soldier of my Master's cross to go among them, and try to sow in those ionorant minds the seeds of His Word. And so I would do, only I don't wish to lead you two into danger, for if Vm not mistaken, if I go, you will follow.'* "That we will," we replied jointly. *' But see ! " continued Thompson, " what arc they after now ? " I looked back to the spot from which my at- tention had been momentarily withdrawn, and per- ceived the chief had risen, and with a waddling gait was moving up the hill opposite, followed by the other Kaffirs, some of whom had lifted up and were carrying off the slaughtered game. As quickly as the slow pace of the fat chief would permit, they crossed the hill and vanished over the other side. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMOxXG THE KAFFIRS. Hr> When the last Hack fellow had gone, Mr. Fei'- guson said — " They are returning to their kraals, which no douht are pretty near at hand." *' Which is sartain," put in Thompson, " or the little fat man of theirs will have to be carried as well as the game.*' *' Well, then, let us stay here till the .sun sets, and when night falls — which it will do very rapidly — we will track them and reconnoitre more closely." Agreeing upon this, the minister and I — for Jack's arm having grown stiff and sore, prevented him from helping — set about procuring bananas, nuts, and other edible fruits. Even had we come across another rock rabbit I doubt whether we should have ventured to kill it, Wni^x as we were, in such close quarters with the natives. Thompson once or twice argued that we should make again for the shore, and I half agreed with him till Ferguson, overhearing a few of his whis- pered remarks, convinced me to the contrary by askinir — "If we did make directly back, and build a rock hut as Jack proposes, how first should we catch the fish he mentions, and how should we obtain w 66 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. water, without which we must in this hot climate inevitably die of thirst and madness." This sensible reasoning convinced us, and the minister continued — " As certainly we have no chance of sighting a ship here, suppose we make our course as straight in advance as we can, when we shall assuredly reach the banks of some river such as the Imfolosi or Umalalaze, along whose banks we can proceed till we again reach the shore, where then, if you like, we can build a hut, for we shall have both fish and fresh water close at hand.'* No better plan could be proposed, so we were for instantly putting it into execution. Accordingly, directly the night closed in, we set out. Our course led us in a similar direction to the Kaffirs; we therefore proceeded with much caution. We hoped to reach the crest of the hill before the moon rose, lest our shadows should attract the attention and keen glance of some Kaffir, whose kraal might be, for all we knew, within a few yards of the other side. As we progressed the noises in the forest kept us constantly on our guard ; and we all shuddered at the idea of what our position would be, if we lost ourselves. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. G7 We had more than half crossed the plain, and were hurrying on in silence, when my steps were suddenly arrested hy a cry, partly of surprise, partly of terror from Jack Thompson who had heen walking hy my side. I started round, fully ex- pecting to find ourselves once more in the presence of the King of Beasts or some other animal. I do not think its red eyes would have astonished me more than whafc in reality met my view. Jack Thompson had entirely vanished. *' Good heavens ! Ferguson,'* I exclaimed, catch- ing his arm, " where is Thompson ? Just now he was hy my side, and see, he has gone ! " As I spoke, a voice coming up apparently from our feet addressed us — " Shiver my top-sails, but if I aint in another cussed fix! Here, Galbraith lad, lend a hand to help us out.'* Looking down in surprise we discovered that we were on the very edge of what in the darkness ap- peared a vast chasm, the depths of which we could not penetrate. Instinctively 1 recoiled from its close proximity. The next moment I drew near again, for it was from this pit that Jack Thompson's voice proceeded. ** Jack ! ** I called down ; " is it deep ? I can't 68 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. see you ; are you hurt, or can you reach me your hand?'' "I have fallen on my wounded arm and the pain's awful," he responded; then as if he had tried, he added, "no, 1 don't think you can reach me, for it's precious deep. But can't you find. some way to get me out of this infernal hole ? " " What shall we do ? " I asked Ferguson, " how ever are we to help him ? "The darkness may make him misjudge the depth," he replied. " Let us try to reach the poor fellow." "It is useless," said Ferguson, after we had both tried. " We must get some baboon ropes." "That plan would be useless, for in this vast plain, if I got the ropes, how should I find you again in the darkness; and to call for directions would undoubtedly bring the Kaffirs upon us." "True; you ever have your wits about you, Galbraith, but what are we to do ? " " Why, the moon will be up in less than half an hour, and whatever the danger, we must wait till then." Having told Jack what we were compelled to do, and bidding him rest assured we would not leave him, we took our places at the pit's mouth to wait. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 69 We did not speak, for we had no heart to. Perhaps, at the very moment the vast plain was filled with beasts in search of prey, who at any instant might come upon us. When the nature of the danger is apparent, a brave man can face it without a quiver, however terrible it may be. But when the danger is unknown, the imagination exaggerates and dis- torts everything till the nerves of the strongest are shaken. And never can the imafjination come better into play than in a tropical forest at night. It was so with me. At every sound my flesh creeped and I conjured up the forms ol animals only equalled in hideousness by the shadowy natives who seemed to flit continuously about us. Once Jack broke the silence in a rather loud whisper, and I started as if I had been shot. " I say, Dick Galbraith, old fellow, just ask the minister to take a peep at that book-learning he carries in his head, and see if can't tell me why this cussed hole was made— if its natur or Kajfir architecture." " I believe/' answered the minister, " that you have fallen into a pit used for catching giraffes. If there is a bank of earth left in the centre you have done so beyond doubt." 70 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. " There is a bin k ; and but for my arm, which burns like hell, Fd climb it and be out in a jiffy." AMiile he was talking, an idea occurred to me, and I said, '* If it be as Jack says, about that bank of earth, I might get down and help Thompson up." "That is very possible; but as you are the stronger, I think you had better remain here, so that when I hoist him on to the point of earth, you can pull him out." Whereupon, warning Jack of his coming, he lowered himself into the pit. I waited impatiently, and so occupied were we all with our work that I did not perceive that the moon, rising higher and higher, was disclosing the outline of many dusky forms which were hovering about me. It was just as Mr. Ferguson exclaimed, " Now Galbraith, he is getting on my shoulders, be ready to seize him," that there echoed in my ears a yell as if arising from the throats of a myriad of fiends. I sprang to my feet, and gazed around. The moon w^as up— from it a ray of broad silvery light fell over the plain, disclosing to my terrified glance the black forms of some thirty to fifty Kaffirs ranged in a circle about the pit's mouth, all in defiant attitudes, their spears upraised. My AZf CAPTURED BY KAFFIRS. FIFTEEN MOiNTHS AMONG FHE KAFFIRS. 73 wisest plan would Lave Lecii, I know, to have thrown myself on the ground, and let them come up quietly, but in my surprise I made a few steps backwards, hastily whispering to the others to keep still, as any efforts they could make would be use- less against such numbers. The action w^as a foolish one, and might have proved my death- w^arrant, for the next instant a cloud of spears w^histled around me, one of which, piercing ray arm, brought nic to tli(> ground. At this, with renewed yells of triumph, the Kaffirs came rushing and capering, jabbering and leaping like fiends incarnate, as if with the intention to tear my wretched body limb from limb ; their eyes, gleamed down upon me with a baleful light, and believing that my last hour had indeed come, I fainted 74 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMUNG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER VI. METILULU— I HAVE FAINT HOPES. When I recovered consciousness, hastened, by the no gentle witlidrawal of the spear from my arm, 1 found my bands bound firmly behind my back. My captors were of the true Kaffir type - tall, well-made, noble and graceful in their bearing, patterns of manly beauty, save the face, and even here the features were far superior to most of the African dark-skinned tribes. The cheek bones were not prominent, the lips were not of the negro class, though thicker than the European. Quickly I took this inventory of my captors, and also perceived that my being a Avhite man had created no little suiprise among them — they talked and jabbered together, ever glancing at me, then turning began to march forward, myself in the midst. What Mr. Ferguson and Jack were doing I could not tell. 1 certainly could not see them, and therefore hoped, by keeping quiet in the pit, that they had escaped detection. 1 did not for an in- FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 75 stant blame thein for not liaviDg endeavoured to rescue me, for what could they have done without arms and against fifteen times their numbers. It would have led to the massacre of the three instead of one — and one, I felt certain, unless Pro- vidence again aided me, it would be. Rapidly we moved along towards the hill, too rapidly for my strength. I reeled and stumbled as I went, my pain added to by the tightness of the hide about my wrists. Each moment I felt that I should fall, for the loss of blood was growing serious, when a Kaffir, evidently one in authority, who was w^alking by my side, seemed to become aware of my situation, for he spoke to another, who gliding swiftly oflP returned in a few moments bringing the leaves of some plant, cool and fresh, which were bound round my arm. After this we went on again, I striving to look my gratitude, and hoping in my heart that the tribe into whose power I had fallen was of those friendly ones of whom Mr. Ferguson had spoken. On reaching the crest of the hill, which I had been looking forward to with some curiosity, I per- ceived in the centre of a plain the kraal, which I will here attempt to describe. ' The kraal was made of two circular fences, the 76 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. outer being about half-a-mile or more in diameter, the other much smaller, and enclosinof what we should call a meadow, termed here the isibaya, in which are carefully kept the cows, the pride of the Kaffir. Between these two fences formed of poles, whose tops crossing make a protection like cheveux de-frise against an enemy, were numerous huts in the shape of half a Dutch cheese, the flat part being placed on the ground. These were composed of thatcli lashed together with baboon ropes. In respect to the shape of the huts, I may as well mention here, that the Kaffirs build everything round, and have no idea of any other form. I have heard it said in jest that a tailless cat must walk in a circle — from whatever point it starts from, it must return to that point. So it appears with the natives of Kaffraria, for in whatever manner with the women, who are the chief workers, begin to build, they are sure to bring the construction finally to a circle. Near the kraal there grew a peculiar tree called the Euphorbia, which grows to forty feet high, is entirely leafless, prickly, and branches out like a candelabrum. Its juice is extremely acrid and poisonous, indeed the tree is of the same species as the wart weed which grows, when permitted, in English gardens. IIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 77 As we approached, my guards uttered a peculiar cry, upon which the kraal, a moment Letbre lyin^^ so still and peaceful in the clear moonlight, became animated with numberless black figures, like a swarm of bees. Breaking mto a quicker step, we soon reached the small aperture leading into the huts, and were instantly surrounded by a crowd of Kaffirs dressed similarly to those 1 had already seen, that is, with topes of hides and beads coiled round their waists ; the aprons of strips of fur or animals' tails hanging in front and behind, and bracelets and anklets of hide, string, or bone round their wrists and le2:s. Each also bore an assa^rai and shield, giving them a most formidable appear- arance, as with much gesticulation they stared at me. A consultation seemed to be taking place between the head men, during which the women and chil- dren, who also had turned out, took their full share of inspection, so I, having nothing better to do, returned the scrutiny, and speedily came to the opinion that, however well the men might be made, the women when passed maidenhood were dis- gustingly hideous. The girls' attire was little more than the men. The married women wear on special occasions a 78 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. petticoat of some material, reaching to tlie knee; this was now absent. Their rough woolly hair was ornamented with bones, beads, and the spines of the white thorn. As for the children, they were as devoid of clothes as when they were born. I had scarcely taken all this in, when a young KafRr, whom I had seen sent away returned. No sooner had he delivered his message, than about half-a-dozen of my guards surrounded me, and began to move on. The crowd fell back, but fol- lowed and chattered like so many monkeys. Proceeding nearly half round the kraal, we came to a hut of much larger dimensions than the others, while I observed on the thatch the skulls of several oxen to be fastened. The entrance was so low that I had to pass through on my hands and knees, preceded and followed by my guards. The first thing that struck me on putting me head in, was she exceedingly disgusting odour of the interior, but my guards did not seem to notice it. The interior walls were composed of hardened mud, tha roof being supported by pillars, covered, to my surprise, by beads, and from which were hung shields, assr^gais. and gourds ; while bunches of maize, much blackened by soot, were suspended from the roof. Around the sides of the hut were FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 79 ranged rudely-made baskets, pitchers, and other culinary utensils, and on the tioor, flattened to a perfect evenness and polish, were several sleeping mats, constructed from animals' skins. On one of the latter, I was not surprised to see the hi Kaffir who had been present at the dance, and thinking it as well to be polite, I made a most profound obeisance. The chief having looked fixedly at me, addressed my guards who, I could tell by their manner and actions, proceeded to explain how 1 had fallen into their hands. This coming to an end, with some dignity and much importance he spoke to me, where- upon shaking my head, I gave him to understand that his language was unknown to me. Metilulu, for that I afterwards learned was his name, then gave an order to one of the attendants, who, quitting the hut, speedily returned with a young, good-looking Kaffir. He was indeed splendid, and I was ad- miringly examining this fine specimen of humanity, when I was startled by hearing myself addressed in my own tongue, though the pronunciation was queer. I found it was the young Kaffir who thus spoke. He stood between the chief and me, and said— 80 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE K\FFi::S. "The mighty Elephant, the pride of his tribe, says, are you European ? ** " 1 am," I answered, no little pleased to think that I could explain my position, and perhaps win their commiseration. " I am a shipwrecked sailor, who was cast on your land the evening before last.'* "You are not Boer? — you are not spy?" he continued suspiciously, after repeating my words to the chief. I speedily answered no, to this dangerous ac- cusation, and pointing to my tattered clothes explained how the sea had torn me and them. Then I begc:ed him to tell the great chief how I threw myself upon his mercy and hospitality, trusting that he would treat me as a friend, and pass me on to some European settlement. I made my words and manner as eloquent as I could, and fancied even before my speech was in- terpreted to him that I had made an effect. With much anxiety I listened f(»r the reply. It came — "The Great Elc|>' ant savs he cannot send you to a settlement. They are far distant with much bush, much danger between — you must remain his prisoner. If you are peaceful, in his great mercy, he gives you your life ; if not, you must die." FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 81 Upon this I knelt and bowed low in token of gratitude, then awaited what was to come next, which was that the following day the chief and his councillors would hear me give an account of the land I liad come from. Meanwhile, my place must be with the •' boys," who should be ordered not to illtreat me, but who also should receive positive commands to pierce me with their assagais the in- stant I showed the least intention of escaping. Again I made my obeisance, and rising, prepared to take my leave with my guards. I once had it on my lips to mention the close proximity of my companions; on second thoughts I remained silent, for despite my present good luck, I felt certain that the least thing might prove my death-warrant with the great chief. The " boys " I found to be, not boys in years, but unmarried men of the tribe, who had separate liuts to themselves. Conducted by guards into one of these, I was instantly surrounded by the " boys " who never seemed as if they could look at me enough. The inspection was anything but plea- sant ; and seeing that the interpreter had ac- companied us, I ventured to say I was suffering both from hunger and thirst, whereupon I was handed some sour clotted milk, termed am a si Q 82 .. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. some maize, and a liquid which passes there for beer. Eagerly I drank the latter, then having eaten the rest, hunger alone making it palatable, 1 took possession of the mat allotted me, and feeling from the chief's evident curiosity to know more about me, that I should at anyrate be safe till the morning, soon fell into a sound sleep. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 83 CHAPTER VII. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF — THINGS LOOK BRIGHTER. I AWOKE early next morningj earlier even than my companions, who laid slumbering on their mats, or beds made of stems of grass lashed together. So liaving nothing better to do, I began to inspect them as they had inspected me, and could not help admiring the perfect symmetry of their dark forms, accompanied by the easy grace attendant upon every movement of limbs which had never been confined or crippled by clothing. I have called them, and till that moment believed them to be of negro blackness, but I now discovered my error. Black they almost were, but the red blood showed through the skin and gave a pe- culiar but not unpleasing appearance. It v/as, however, rather spoilt in my opinion by the ex- cessive quantity of grease it is the custom in Kaffraria to rub into the skin. Their bodies sbine like a patent leather boot. it was with some little curosity that I noticed 84 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. that though all were similarly attired in respect to anklets, bracelets, and aprons, some wore their black woolly hair in its natural state, while others were shaved entirely, save a ring of matted hair on the top of their heads. This I learned on after inquiry was called the issikoko^ or head ring, an adornment much esteemed and venerated by the wearer^ as proving his social position in his tribe. Before a "boy" can wear it he has to obtain the permission of his chief; this being obtained, the ceremony commences. An oval ring is made of some kind of sinew, which is fitted on the head, and the hair about it rolled round, being kept thus by the aid of grease and gum, which so mats it together that it is capable of bearing a polish. Then the hair dresser takes the keen edge of the assao^ai and shaves ojff all the remaininoj hair, leaving only the issikoko ; the wearer is then made a happy man, as according to the Kaffir mind, it is the greatest ornament he can possess, and a warrior would sooner lose his life than his head-ring. It also has its uses, for on occasions of of ceremony or hostile expeditions, a number of feathers are stuck in it, and the Kaffir is always extravagant over his head-dress, preferring the expensive peacock feathers. Besides this, in do- FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 85 mestic life tlie issikoko holds tlie wearer's snuff spoon, of vvliicli I shall speak further on. I had barely ended my inspection, and \s^s be- ginning to think with some anxiety of what the day would bring forth, when my companions awoke ; having no clothes to put on, they were not long over their toilet, and were quickly ready for the first meal. It consisted of amasi and maize made into a kind of porridge. This repast made me acquainted with another Kaffir custom, and not a pleasant one. The large pot containing the porridge is placed in the centre, the partakers sitting round it, when, to prevent one getting more than another, they all use the same spoon ; thus the first plunges it into the porridge, brings it out as full as it can be, gulps down the contents, then passes the spoon to his neighbour. As I had from a child adapted myself to the rocks, to the sunshine, to the ocean and to its storms, so I tried now to adapt myself to these people among whom fate had cast me, and sitting on the floor making one of the circle, and I so strove to imitate them, that I soon might have passed for a Kaffir myself, save for the colour of my skin and dress. 8G FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. The sour amasi — the natives never use fresh milk, calling in. indigestible — was at first anything but pleasant ; but I determined to make as good a meal as I could, not knowing when I might get another. Scarcely had I finished when two or three Kaffirs of distinction appeared and notified by signs that I was to follow them. I immediately did so, and crawling out of the hut was again conducted to the chief Metilulu's presence. This time, however, the interview was not to take place in the hut, but an open space where I found him seated, surrounded by his councillors, and with the rough jug containing the beloved y<9«7a, or Kaffir beer, by his side. Indeed, it seemed to me that he never moved without it, snd so it proved, eating and drinking being the prerogatives of a Kaffir chief. Thus they alone of the race are fat. Metilulu's dress was also different. No doubt he wished to awe me with his appearance. On his head, stuck into the issikoko, were numerous feathers of brilliant hues, some long and erect, others drooping by the side of his dusky face. Fastened round his throat, so as to fall on his chest, were the tails of wild animals, such as the leopard; from his waist fell others to the knee, so thickly as FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THK KAFFIRS. 87 to answer the purpose of the Kaffir apron, while hanginor from the elbow and the xjalf of the leoj was the long wliite silky hair of some kind of goat. Finally, a kaross or cloak of splendid fur was sus- pended from his shoulders. In his hand he carried an assagai, while a young Kaffir standing a little behind, held his high oval shield. The councillors' costumes were somewhat similar, though their head-dresses differred eccen- trically, and they did not possess so many tails. These can only be procured by killing the animals to whom they belong, and the Kaffir will seldom be found to part with the trophy of his courage. Being led up to Metilulu, I was told, through the interpretor, to sit down, and upon doing so I was ordered to begin the description of my native land. They had heard of it — a country over there — pointing northward ; but they would hear more. I instantly complied, and gave a glowing ac- count of the power of England, her wealth, and customs. The chief and his councillors listened to all, with the greatest attention, and the only time an expression of incredulity escaped the chief was when I mentioned that my land was governed- by a queen. " A woman ! " he ejaculated, " impossible." 88 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG TflE KAFFIRS. I assured liim it was not so : that fo-iir queens had ruled England at different periods. '' If so," he rejoined, of course through the in- terpreter, "how would you have me believe the nation brave and warlike who could be governed by a woman ? " Sucli a speech was not surprising, when it is remembered that the Kaffir regards himself as a very superior being to a woman, whom, though termed wife, he knows only as a servant to fulfil his behests, and wait upon him in all minor offices. The only things a Kaffir does is to hunt, to smoke, and to sleep and attend to his beloved cows, which )ften he values far more highly than his wives. In conclusion, I begged him not to regard me as an enemy, assuring him if he were ever to visit my land that he would be treated as the great man he was ; though only a poor sailor, I hoped he would not hold me as a prisoner, but let me learn the habits and manners of his people, in which I took much interest. I put this half authoritively as became a native of the great country I had been describing, and half with suitable reverence for the mightiness of him I was addressing. For some little while he talked with his coun- FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 89 cillors, and by the constant repitition of the word " molonga," which I had discovered to mean " white man," I knew it was about myself. Then through the interpreter, he again addressed me, his speech signifying that lately they had been much troubled by attacks upon their cattle by the Boers, and had at first taken me for a spy of theirs ; but if my words were true I should be at liberty to go where I liked about the kraal, during his pleasure, and that all they could show me they would ; yet should I prove an enemy a thousand assagais should pierce my body through and through. He ended with a request to know if I had saved anything from the wreck. I answered I had nothing but the few rags of clothes that covered me, whereupon I saw his little bead-like eyes fasten on my shirt front with a most unmistakable expression. Glancing down in the same direction, I perceived it was the large pearl buttons which had attracted his notice ; and having heard something of the cupidity of these tribes for such articles, I instantly plucked them off -no difficult matter — and with those at the wrists, presented them to him, saying I had nothing worthier of his acceptance than these poor tokens of ray gratitude for his kind behaviour. 90 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. He took them with a pleased smile and evi- dent delight; then plucking a string of fibre from some part of his dress, he strung the buttons upon it and suspended them round his neck. So proud was the little chief of his new ornament, that I am sure he held his head an inch higher for a good while after. Then the interview broke up, and I returned to the " boys " hut to partake of some of the game caught the evening before, and which was now rather high. I was attended by the interpreter by Metilulu s express orders, and he informed me that an elephant hunt was to take place that afternoon, at which the chief had given permission for me to attend if I chose. It may be imagined that I did choose. I was beginning to feel very anxious about my two companions. My position was looking brighter, and I hoped, if they had not escaped and were now upon some eligible point of land from whence they might signal a passing ship, that I might come across them, and, if they liked, in- troduce them to Metilulu and Kaffir life. On entering the hut, I was invited to partake of dinner, and found the repast no unsavoury one. When it was concluded I strolled out to wait for FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 91 the hunt to start, too accustomed now to care for the observation I created. I have already remarked upon the great love of the Kaffir for his cows. All his ambition is to possess them. Dreadful frays take place on their account, and cattle lifting is very prevalent. At some ceremonies, or when vanity, which exists in these uncivilized regions as elsewhere, steps in, the owner of the kine will kill a cow to entertain his friends ; and to show that he did once possess, and was rich enough to spare it, he keeps the skulls to place upon the thatch of his hut. Thus the residence of a chief, who is rich in cattle, has often several of these hideous adornments. During my wanderings I came across a scene rather amusing to a European. My presence was concealed by a hut, and it was as I glanced round it to windward that I witnessed the following custom as I leant against the side, my white face concealed by the skull of a cow fixed on the thatch. I had observed two Kaffirs advancing. They abruptly came to a halt, and with all the gravity imaginable squatted on the ground. I was turn ing away, thinking I might disturb some private conference, when I perceived — for I was on the watch for everything peculiar — one of the Kaffirs 92 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFTKS. take from his ear a kind of little bottle, and from his issikoko an ivory spoon with a round bowl. This he filled completely with snuff from the bottle, and afterwards passed it to the other, turning his head away, according to Kaffir etiquette, so that he miglit not appear to watch the quantity taken. His companion — not sufficiently rich, I suppose, to own a spoon — poured some on the palm of his hand, which he worked to a conical shape to fit the nostril, whereupon the two inhaled the luxury Tvithout loosing a grain. No sooner had they done so than. large tears began to roll down their cheeks which was not surprising, considering the enormous heap of the pungent powder they had taken. But this was not all. As their eyes overflowed, with their thumb-nails the Kaflfirs made a channel down each cheek for the water to have free course to the corners of their mouths, and there they sat in solemn state, enjoying, as they really do, their snuff. Tlie sight, however, was so ludicrous to my English notions, that I had to beat a rapid retreat, least by a burst of uncontrollable laughter I might betray my presence. I hurried round the other side of the hut, and came full upon the interpreter, wlio announced that the hunting party was pre- pared to start. ■J ! 1,1 !. \. 'IJIF IN FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 95 CHAPTER VIII. A VISIT TO THE CATTLE — A KOODOO HUNT — MY POSITION IS RATHER IMPROVED. The interpreter had been coming in search of nic, and I was no little pleased to meet him, for we got on very well together. Whether Tugela's — that being his name — stay in the colonies had given him a liking for white men, or he desired to practice the language, I cannot tell, but certainly he was unrefnitting in his attentions, and I have to confess that I should never have witnessed many of the curious customs of Kaffraria which I have now the pleasure of relating but for his kind aid ; as a proof of this even at the present moment the young fellow had sought me out, that I might be a wit- ness to the peculiar practice of training the horns of the cattle. In Tugela*s company, therefore, leaving the snufT- takers to enjoy the powder to their hearts' content, we proceeded to the ui-haya, or enclosure, within y(5 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. the kraal. The place was full of the beloved oxen. The affection experienced for them, however, does not keep the poor animals from being cruelly tortured, as I speedily found, when, from an ad- vantageous position, I beheld the following scene. * The place was full of cattle, and I had the op- portunity of noticing the peculiarities of these animals. Smaller than ours, their horns take the most eccentric shapes, some being bent downwards, curving back even to the head again ; others curled outwards, while some of the cattle appeared to possess four, nay, eight horns. I might, and no doubt should, have thought this natural, had I not witnessed the following means of artifical production. The creatures which I have mentioned were browsing at pleasure, but a large number of calves were collected together, sur- rounded by boys and men ; these were armed with knives and roughly- made saws, with which, to my astonishment, they were cutting and sa\vin;r, tlie horns, which were tender and soft as yet. I could not help showing my surprise, and questioning Tugela upon it. He smiled, perhaps at my bad taste in not admiring the appearance it produced, and most decidedly laughed at my commiseration of the pain the noor brutes must suifcr. he, like \ /'.■Ji^ '"i'S ^W'l ^M TN THE KRAAL FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 99 all Kaffirs, appearing to think nothing of this. " See," he said, directing my attention to one group, where a Kaffir was holding the nose of a calf, while another with a saw was cutting across on the top of the sprouting horns, "now, when they grow there will be four of them at each side of the head, instead of one." The Kaffir belief in the beauty this training gave to the animal was certainly not mine ; and I seized the first opportunity of strolling off to the other side of the isihava. But, it seemed, I had got from the frying-pan into the fire ; for to my horror, I came upon a group of natives literally cutting strips of hide from the face and neck of the Avretched oxen, so as to hang down before them, bleeding now, but which I learned would, when dry, become a fringe, enhancing, according to their idea, the animal's charms. I have no doubt my young readers will find it difficult to credit this barbarous custom; it was a hideous reality to me. Just as some Englishmen clip the ears of their dogs, so does the Kaffir cut the horns into eccentric shapes, and strip portions from the hide and dewlap of the animal in the mistaken idea of smartening its appearance. I must admit, though not a member of that truly 100 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. excellent Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, that I grew rather sick at the sight, and was not sorry to see Tugela coming towards me — evidently the hearer of some intelligence. "Something else to see, perhaps," I thought; ** I trust it will he of a more amusinor character than this." To my joy it proved so, for he came to announce that the hunters were ready to start for the chase. This assuredly heing more to my taste, I gladly quitted the isi-baya^ and, passing from the outer enclosure, found myself in the midst of a large numher of Kaffirs, who were waiting with every- thing prepared. From the animation of their faces, and especially the excited expression of the *'hoys,'' it was very evident that the chase was a particular feature of delight with this strange race. Their dress, if I may he permitted the term, was not in any way increased; and as I marked the free, easy, and graceful manner in which they moved, and how impervious their dark, shiny bodies were to the scorching sun, I could not but envy them. My own face was becoming very painful ; however, Tegula speedily gave me relief by daubing it over FfFTKEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 101 with rancid fat. The operation was slightly dis- gusting at first to my European ideas, but this feeling rapidly succumbed under the ease oc- casioned by the operation, and I soon found that this grease is absolutely necessary to the skin of the white man. Three or four older Kaffirs had great respect paid them, and I noticed a slight difference in the adornment of their issikoko. From this I divined that they were personages of importance — no doubt renowned hunters. They placed themselves at the head of the band, gave a sign, and we set out at a swinging pace. It appeared, that after all, it was not to be an elephant hunt, that having been deferred for a day or two, as the chief had expressed his in- tention to be present at the killing of that animal himself; a koodoo hunt had been substituted in its place. I have called it a hunt, but I might rather use the word " battue," as it will be seen, when I proceed with my recital. Together we proceeded through the bush, and more splendid scenery it has never been my lot to look upon. Mountains rose in the distance crowned with strangely foliaged trees, while the land extended before us in brilliant undulations, covered by a 102 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. bright green vegetation. The undulations, however, on nearer approach I found to consist of vast clefts, or ravines in the earth — called kloofs. Through some of these silver streams flowed, while their rough, rugged sides, composed of masses of rock, trees, and bushes, interlaced together by a profusion of brilliant and luxuriant parasites, formed the safe home of numerous beasts of prey. We had pro- ceeded some distance without anything worthy of mention taking place, save that I now andfthen came across more specimens of the hyrat, the animal who had formed my first supper, and also a peculiar animal called the meerkat, a long-bodied thing with small ears, a pointed muzzle, long tail and thin feet armed with claws. I inquired of Tugela respecting it ; for I thought if I ever got back to England again, that I should like to have as much to tell as possible. I could learn, how- ever, little of its habits, more [than its fur was considered valuable owing to the diflSculty of its capture. After we had gone on for some time, we came to a halt, and I perceived the older hunters were giving orders. The main body instantly split into several small groups. The party I was amongst instantly set off to one FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 103 of tlie kloofs which I have mentioned, where, se- parating again, the Kaffirs concealed themselves behind the hushes, with their assagais and knoh- kerries ready to hand. The other party, it appeared, had by a long detour encircled a whole herd of koodoos, elands, and other animals of the antelope species. These animals are remarkably quick of scent — though, by the way, it does not require much olfactory sensitiveness to detect a Kaffir — therefore the hunters wisely kept to the windward till they had the herd between themselves^and the kloof. Then suddenly they showed them to the browsing animals, w^ho immediately fled from their pursuers in the direction of the ravine. As they would at times swerve from the right path, Kaffirs who had been lying perdu would start up and with shouts head them back. They soon saw that one path alone was left free to them, and they sped down it till, with terrified yet graceful bounds, the poor creatures rushed into the kloof as their last hope of escape. Then truly an exciting scene commenced ; from every rock and bush there seemed to spring the dusky form of a Kaffir, his shield and assagais in his left hand, his right armed with one of the 104 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG FIIE KAFFIRS. spears, wliidi lie generally sent with unerring aim at the flying antelopes. By much persuasion, I fancy, and with a great deal of doubt on the Kaflirs' part, Tugela had procured me a shield and a few assagais and I was soon hurling my w^eapons with as good a speed and aim as my little experience would allow. I must confess that the pity I felt when I first saw the graceful animals rushing to their death quite vanished under the excitement of the moment. Many fell in their last death struggles ; but the others, with the speed of light, dashed on to the ravine; the hope of life seemed to be there for them. But not so— again they were doomed to disappointment. Suddenly an array of black figures started up, barring their exit with assagais. Most of them fled wildly back again, while some, with a reckless bravery produced by fright, broke through the hunters' ranks, and, gaining the open plain, escaped, — at which my heart felt a sensation of pleasure ; for enough is as good as a feast, even in Kaffirland, and surely there w^ere sufficient of the poor creatures left to glut the appetite of even a Kaffir. It was a most animating scene. The gloomy FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 105 kloof, with its tropical vegetation — the dazzlingly blue sky, and intense sun overhead, — the sides of the ravine presenting, at every available point, the lithe form of the Kaffir, while beneath dashed the terror-stricken animals, or rolled here and there in the pangs of death. It was a magnificent battue I must own. During it I quite forgot my own un- certain position, and the fact that, in reality, T was as much in the power of the men about me as were the poor koodoos at my feet. Now, after a brief space, the hunt terminated, and all quitted their places to collect the game and dine. The koodoo is much prized by the Kaffir, owing to the good flavour and tenderness of its flesh; and soon one was prepared for our party. Utensils had been brought with us, and, a fire being made, the. meat was cast into a pot over it. Usually the Kaffir lets it boil to rags ; but now, before it was half-done, it was plucked out, eagerly devoured by the hunters who were ravenousely hungry, your humble servant fully doing his part. One thing much disgusted me. On the death of the koodoo tliey broke the leg-bone, and ate the marrow warm and quite raw, for cooking is a pre- liminary which they entirely dispense with in en- joying this luxury. 106 FlFIiiEN MOMUy AMU.NG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER IX. A KAFFIR WEDDING — THE CHIEF METILULU MAKES ME A PRESENT, WHICH I REFUSE. The unusual exertions of tlie previous day had so mucli fatigued me, that I did not awaken till my hut was invaded by a Kaffir, bearing a portion of the game we had killed at the kloof, ready cooked, for my breakfast. This was an additonal proof of the chief's hospitality and friendliness towards me ; and I judged that if I chose to conduct myself honourably towards them, they would do their best in their way to make me comfortable. Before I quitted the kraal, however, I was destined to learn how little is necessary to change a Kaffir's feelings ; but at the time of which I now write I was quite ignorant of the power of witch-doctors, rain-makers, droughts, &c., so felt very easy in my mind re- specting my position. Having rolled up my bed, or mat, as I had seen the *' boys" do, I took my breakfast near the door; for though no native had slept there, the atmos- phere was most close and oppressive. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMOKQ THE KAFFIRS. 107 It was a beautiful morning, and, as 1 regaled myself upon tlie portion of koodoo allotted to me, I could not help recalling my own simple, little nook of a home in Devonshire, and comparing it to the strange wild scenery and equally wild people about me. My appearance had grown too familiar to the Kaffirs to be much remarked, and they continued their occupations without heeding me. It seemed to be milking-time, for several cows stood within a short distance enduring that operation. Most of them took it kindly enough ; but one or two, like our own brindles, which kick over Sukey's pail, were extremely restive, and no doubt w^ould have given much trouble but for the method their masters had of quieting them. A stick placed through the animals* nostrils was held at each end by a man, who, on the slightest sliow of temper on the creatures' part, turned it sharply, thus oc- casioning considerable pain, to avoid which the cow wisely let herself be milked in peace. The milker sits on his haunches,, his knees up to his chin, and the roughly- constructed narrow jar pressed between them. Every European, perhaps, regards fresh milk as a delicacy. But not so the Kaffir : he prefers it 108 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. stale. The new milk is poured into lar^e jars where, perhaps, some sour milk still remains; there it is left to ferment, when the thick part separates from the whey, and is highly prized by the natives under the name of amasi, a speci^vS of clotted cream. My meal being finished, I amused myself by watching a party of women, all similarly attired — that is, with the short skirt, reaching from the waist barely to the knee, and most of them with a child slung on their back, proceed with various im- plements of husbandry to the fields ; for all this kind of labour is performed by the females, who yet have to be home in time to attend to their lord and master's meals; and woe betide them if they are not ready, though, perhaps, the men have spent all the day in idle smoking, or sleeping. No wonder the feminine portion of this people grows absolutely haggish and hideous when but a few years over twenty. I was surmising how my day would be passed, when i was rejoiced to see Tugela approaching. Getting up, I went to meet him, and soon asked what he could propose for me to do ; for he and I had grown te be excellent friends. He informed me that one of the head men was FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 100 about to take a wife that day, and, if I pleased, I might witness the ceremony. As I looked with much reverence upon that holy rite, I had a great curiosity to see how it was conducted liere. From the specimens I had seen of the married women, and the arduous life theirs was, I wondered to my- self how any Kaffir gentleman could find a lady to have him ; but a girl in KafFraria regards it as the greatest indignity conceivable to remain single. It appeared, however, in the present case, that the bridegroom had really had no little difficulty to obtain the lady's consent, having been on view for approval with doubtful success. This *' view for approval " would rather astonish the young men of my land, and is vastly different to their pleasant little manoeuvrings to get a tete- a-tete with the dear one, so as to whisper in her ear their love, and, perhaps, listen to her charming avowal, given with rosy blushing and downcast eyes. Here in Kaffir land, the prospective bridegroom arrays himself in his best leopard-tail isinene and umucha (front and back aprons), places necklaces on his brawny chest, bracelets on his arms, and a multiplicity ol feathers on Ids head-ring. Then armed with his shield and assagais, his lieart pal- 110 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. pitating, according to his confidence respecting the success of his visit, he repairs to his beloved one's home, and, sitting down among her friends, explains his wishes, and enumerates how many cows and skins he is willing to give for the lady of his choice. Should his offer suit the parents, the girl is sent for; she approaches no further than the door, from whence she stares silently at her suitor. With the particular Kaffir I was going to see, it seemed that " when on view," the lady, through a third party, as they do not address each other, had been most arbitrary in her demands. First he had to stand up in this way, then in that, after which he had to run and leap to prove his merits ; where- upon the lady left as silently as she had come. Shortly after, however, the parents brought the news to the delighted swain that he might send home the cows, as the girl had consented. This marriage was accordingly going to take place to-day. From the servile manner in which the women are treated, I should not have imagined that the girls had the power of selecting or rejecting a suitor as they pleased ; but Tugela informed me that this was almost invariably the case. On walking about the kraal, I soon found that the marriage was an affair of more than ordinary FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Ill importance, for all was bustle and confusion. This was owinof to the amount of beer and beef which had to be prepared. At rich weddings, such as the present, large quantities of both are consumed. Telling Tugela that, if it were possible, I should like to see the whole of the ceremony, he conducted me to a rising ground, where, hidden by some cactus bushes, I could easily watch the ap- proach of the bride; and I had not long ensconced myself behind the shrubs — seeking out as shady a spot as I could, for the sun burnt frightfully through my tattered seaman's dress^ — when the murmur of voices informed me of the lady's approach. Soon she appeared, led by two female friends, and followed by her family and companions, all in the gayest attire, — their woolly heads being decked with beads and porcupine spines, or white thorns ; while those who were rich enough had arms and ankles covered with ornaments. The bride had evidently put on every available ornament that she could obtain ; and if the Kaffir girl is no beauty, assuredly when she is attired in the bridal costume which denotes her position as a wife, she can only be described as hideous. Her hair had been all shaved 'off save one tuft at the top, which had been stuck together, in an erect position, by 112 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. means of some red clay, while for tlie apron of the virgin had been substituted the skirt of the matron. She was guarded by all her male relations, also dressed in their best, and armed with shields and assagais. Waiting till the procession had passed, I followed at a short distance. On arriving at the outside of the husband's kraal the bride sat down, while the presentation of cows, which constituted the marriage ceremony, took place. First to the bride's mother was given an ox, termed the uJcutu^ which was intended to be cooked for the wedding feast. After this, the male relatives with a slow, peculiar step, brandishing their weapons and uttering a monotonous, droning chant, went up to the husband's hut, who had not yet come out, and demanded of him the *' fathers' ox," called the urn- quoUswa, Upon his declaring, as a matter of form, that he has none to give, the father stated his in- tention of taking the bride home; to which the other made no reply till called upon to appear, which he did with a rush, as if desirous of escaping from the kraal. The egress, however, was in- stantly barred by the girls without, who, with much laughter and many jests, kept him in. Whereupon ne ordered the umquoluwa to be brought, and. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 113 after it had been formally delivered over to the bride entered the kraal, and the dances commenced. I have already mentioned these dances as being most wild and grotesque. First the husband and his friends began, while the others remained seated; then vice versa — each casting their weapons and shields about in the most reckless fashion, yet keeping time to the song they sang, during which beer was drunk ad lihHum by the lookers on. These dances were interspersed by harangues from the elder women and the father of the bride, consisting of advice to the girl about to enter upon the new life, and to the husband to treat her well and be kind. Then followed more dancing. The last ceremony consisted in the bridegroom resting himself on the ground while the bride, ac- companied by two companions, danced up to him, and began most unceremoniously to kick the dust into his face, load him with abuse, and disnrrange his head-gear, — all of which he received with the greatest good humour, perhaps feeling how soon it would be his turn to act the master in reality. Another ox was now brought forward, and pre- sented by the bridegroom to the girl. This was solemnly slaughtered ; andTugela told me that this rendered the marriage complete, as, up to that 114 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. time, either party could have cried off had they felt disposed. All the rites, therefore, being over, the feasting commenced, at the conclusion of which I learned the husband was permitted to take his wife home. Having no desire to be more than a spectator, and bemg much oppressed by the heat, I managed to return alone to my hut, thus leaving Tugela unhindered by my presence, for I saw that he was anxious to join the wedding party. When there, I threw myself down on my mat, and soon fell fast asleep, and dreamed of home and the dear ones it contained. 1 was just fancying I was once more among tliem, with my children about my knees, and darling Katie sitting by my side, her loving face cither smiling into mine, or looking up with pretty terror as I recounted my adventures and perils, when 1 awoke. The sun was sinking, and I had been aroused by a shadow falling over the entrance to the hut. Starling up, I found it was Tugela, who had come with a message from the chief; and a most surprising one it was. Metilulu sent his compliments to the Eng- lishman, and de>ired to say that, as I now had a liur of my own, 1 must n^quire some on«; to cook FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 115 my meals and to attend to my wants ; therefore lie was condescending enough to wish that I should take a wife. I regarded Tugela in horror ; then concealing the feeling, which it might he dangerous to display, I declined the offer, as politely and respectfully as I could, saying I was extremely conscious of, and grateful for, the kind intentions of the great chief respecting my comforts, but that I could cook my meals and attend to my wants myself; for, heing already married in my own country, it was against the custom of white men, as Tugela must know, to marry again. "Ah," he responded, "hut the English wife is far away ; she no good — she no cook — she no work for you." "Yes she does; she cooks and works for my children, awaiting my return," I answered, with a slight tremor in my voice. This reasoning seemed perfectly incomprehensible to Tugela; and I thought with some trepidation of the manner in which the chief Metilulu might take my rejection of his offer, if one who had lived in white settlements failed to understand my reason. " Tugela," I said, " you are aware that it is our custom, our religion, to marry hut one wife; there- 116 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONa THE KAFFIRS. fore, I pray you, tell your chief how sincerely I feel his kindness, hut how impossihle it is for me to obey." He promised to do so, hut added, as if he thought, perhaps, the information might make me change my mind, " The Great Eagle knows that you are poor — that you have no cows to give — so says he will purchase you a wife himself." This additional generosity quite over-powered me: Metilulu must he bent upon the fulfilment of his desire indeed; nevertheless I could only re- iterate my thanks and refusal. So Tugela left to bear my answer to the chieP. while I awaited the result in a sufficiently perturbed state of mind, as may well he imagined. A Kaffir wife ! Oh, horror ! Even if I had been a bachelor, and no dear Katie was in the way, the thought would have been quite as jarring to all my ideas on the subject. The uncertainty of my position pressed painfully upon me. It appeared to me with more and more vividness, that the comfort which I then enjoyed might at any moment be withdrawn. If I got out of the present scrape, another and a similar one would undoubtedly change the capricious African's attitude towards me. If once his anger were fully drawn upon me, it would FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 117 mean death if I did not escape. I inwardly re- solved to take once more to the bush if need be. I did not then know half my trouble, for I was ignorant that, all unknown to myself, I had inspired with the soft passion the heart of a young Kaffir girL 118 FlFTliEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER X. MY ANXIETY IS CALMED FOR A WHILE — ILLNESS OF THE chief's wife — FINDING THE WIZARD. I NEED scarcely say that I did not stir from my liut that evening till I had ascertained how Metilulu had taken my refusal of his liberal offer ; for liberal it was, as any one who is acquainted w^ith the jealous love of the Kaffir for his cows would confess. So endeared, indeed, are those animals to til em that they soon know their every feature and if one of the animals be placed in the midst of a strange herd, the owner can without a moment's hesitation immediately select his own. Therefore, I repeat, the chief's offer was generous, and consequently my refusal would be a great insult to his royal desire. I waited and waited, till the silver moon rose high; yet Tugela did not return. What was I to think of it ? I could but read trouble, and my mind grew restless accordingly. As yet I had only witnessed the Kaffirs torture their cattle; how might they FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 119 torture their liuman victims ? I had read howsome of these wild tribes delighted in such things, and I shivered involuntarily; hut one thing I was re- solved, that I would be true to Katie. Instinctively clutch iu'^ an assa^jai, which had been left with me by accident, I prayed that, if the worst came, it mioht not be considered a sin if I took at one stroke the life which these men about me would extract by slow torture. So the time slipped away, and I was still engaged in painful thought, when the stillness of the night was abruptly broken by a sudden turmoil. Curiosity overcoming all other feeling, I crawled on hands and knees to the entrance of the hut and looked out. To my surprise, I beheld the young bride of that day's ceremony in the midst of some three or four other women much her elders. They were evidently uttering anything but complimentary epithets, and were pulling and molesting her in a most extravagant manner, while she stood looking very terrified and quite unable to return the assault upon her. Had it been in England, I w^ould have flown to the aid of the distressed ; but I was in a strange country, and moreover at that moment in an equivocal position ; I felt therefore that it would be 120 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. ibolhardy of me to interfere, especially as I knew so little of the customs of the natives. I observed too, several Kaffirs placidly smoking at the entrance of their huts, and apparently enjoying the scene. By their actions — for I could not understand a word of their language — I guessed that the four elder females ^vere the wives of the brideoroom, and that they had seized the first opportunity to show their j-'alousy of the new addition to the family. The ran^e of the four assailants was increasing: momentarily, and I began to be fearful of the conse- quences, when there was a cry of terror, then a sudden skulking away of the group. A man — the bride- groom—had suddenly appeared on the scene, and was liberally belabouring the bare shoulders of his first wives with a stick. With affrighted cries, and amid the laughter of the spectators they hurried olf to their hut, while the bridegroom followed at a more leisurely pace, accompanied by his new bride. The event had made me for a while forget my own trouble ; but when all again had become still, it returned with double intensity from the very fact it had been forgotten for a few minutes. I became more uneasy than ever at the delay. I soon, however, felt convinced that Tugela would not come that night, for everything was growing FiFTP:EN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFlPxS. 121 quiet in tlie kraal. The smokers had crawled inro their dwellings, the Southern Cross gleamed hrightly overhead, and the stillness of the little village was only broken by the occasional low of the cattle or roar of some wild beast in the adjacent bush. So. stretching myself upon my mat, I made an effort to sleep, by forcing my thought into other channels and began by wondering what fate could have over- taken Jack Thompson and Mr. Ferguson, the mis- sionary. By this means I at last fell into an uneasy slumber, from wliich I did not awake till early morning, when my first thoughts naturally recurred to the chief's proposal of the day before, and I awaited the appearance of Tugela with as much anxiety as on the previous evening. I soon became aware that I was very hungry, and that no food had been sent me, which I was attributing to the first signs of Metilulu's displeasure, when my at- tention was attracted by a commotion among the people. Peering stealthily out, I saw that concern was marked on the faces of every passer-by. They went rapidly to and fro, casting suspicious glances at each other. It was at this moment that Tugela at last ap- peared. I started up to receive him, and also to make room for him to enter. On his doing so, my 122 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. first question was as to how his chief had received my reply. '* Fortunately for you," he answered, " the Great Eagle's attention has been directed to another event — one which will effect all the kraal.** ** Which has affected it, you mean," I rejoined. " You know what it is ? " he questioned. " No, not yet." • " Anzutu the favourite wife of Metilulu has been suddenly taken ill, and the whole of the kraal is aroused to learn who has made her so. The chief has sent to the witch-doctor to find out." *' The witch-doctor ! Why ? " " Because it has been caused by magic." *' What ! do you think illness can only come by the influence of magic ? '* Tugela gravely shook his head. "Yes; some one has a spite against Anzutu, and has cast the illness upon her. You need not now fear for yourself," he added, " your rejection of the bride Metilulu would have given you is forgotten for the time by this last event " When he spoke thus, I was far from conceiving all that this superstition comprised. However I saw by his manner that it was something exceed- ingly serious, and as he assured me that I was safe, FlFTEExV MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 123 I accepted his invitation to see the ceremony for discovering the wizard. He warned me, however, not to join the circle, as sometimes witch-doctors did not like white men. After having hy his help satisfied my hunger, I left the hut with him, and soon heard that the witch-doctor had declared Anzutu's illness arose from the hatred of one of the tribe — a wizard, — and that that person, having possessed himself of some article touched by the sufferer — a shell, some beads, or tuft of hair, — had buried it, and, by constantly repeating spells over the place, was occasioning the failing health of the chief's wife, whose illness would certainly end in deatfi if the wizard were not detected. For the latter purpose, orders had been issued that all the Kaffirs should assemble together — the chief himself being present — at a given time, though time seems a strange term, for Kaffraria knows little about it. The natives are aware that they wake in the morning, and, if the chief wills it, they may be dead before night ; for the head man's power is absolute, and the victim suffers without a murmur. Therefore with them time and life are very precarious possessions. Advantageously placed by Tugela in a position 124 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG FHE KAFFIRS. where I could see and not be seen, I soon beheld the space which had been selected for the trial begin to fill with Kaffirs, each with a very serious cast of countenance. My common -sense told me that it was a farce I was about to witness — a farce which proved to have a terrible conclusion. I felt that the idea of these doctors detecting wizards must be an im- posture, though the actors might even deceive themselves ; and it seemed strange to me how the natives could put confidence in the infallibility of these men, when, by their faces, each dreaded that he would be the one accused, though knowing himself to be innocent. Silently they all met ; and my fat friend Meti- lulu, attended by a guard of " boys," armed with knob-kerries, advanced and took a seat apart, smoking profusely. All squatted down Kaffir fashion and evidently awaited with breathless suspense for the witch- doctor's coming. At last he appeared, and a more hideous object I never beheld. He had a most ha<^gard, cadaverous aspect, and his lean body was pitifully attenuated. In one hand he carried a stick — his wand, — to the top of which was fastened the tail of some animal. His garments consisted FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 125 of the front and back fur aprons. About his neck was coiled a dead serpent, numerous tails of wild beasts hung over his breast and shoulders, while feathers of various hues adorned his issikoko, from which depended several charms; but the most striking sight was his face, which, like his body, had been daubed over with white earth; and the effect of this on the dark skin can be hardly conceived. The entrance of this repulsive personage into the circle was received by a shout of welcome — a com- pulsory one it must have been, for none could have cared to have seen him. / did not, even from my place of concealment, and often thought that his horrible eyes, made startlingly apparent by the white earth, glared through the bushes and de- tected me. With a slow pace the wizard made his circuit, quickening his speed as he went till it grew into a wild dance, while all the time he uttered some native chant, which increased in loudness as his movements did in rapidity. That any ordinary man could have moved his limbs with such swift- ness, or leap so high, I never would have believed. It was rather the wild dance and the wild sonof of insanity. But song is too gentle a word. The 126 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. little melody it had at first possessed speedily vanished, and was replaced by frantic shrieks and cries as of a maniac ; while tears actually streamed down his face, doing sad havoc with the white earth. First he sprang to this side, then to that — all cowering as he approached, — while he snuffed up the air, as if discovering the criminal by that means. I held my breath as I watched each move- ment, for I had been told that his wand would fall upon the victim, or guilty person, according to the dark intelligence of his people. Once he paused, and I saw those near him shiver perceptibly ; then he fled off with a bound in another direction. How long the scene lasted I cannot tell ; but I know the excitement was beginning to tell u\Mn\ me, when, with a sudden swoop, he struck tbe shoulder of one of the Kaffirs, then darted away. In an instant, like a swarm of locusts, the guard of knob-kerries were upon the unfortunate victim, preventing any escape; while, I was afterwards told, the witch-doctor dashed off and entered each hut he came across, sniffing violently to discover tlie spot were the charm was buried, and followed by a wondering, awe-inspired crowd. Abruptly lialting at one spot, he cast down an assagai, and ordered the people to dig — an operation which produced, as FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 127 it generally did, a tuft of fur and some beads. This, in the Kaffirs' opinion, proved the truth of the witch-doctor's accusation ; but to me it seemed clear that he must liave put the articles there himself. The whole scene was one of horrible laroarity. 128 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIR3. CHAPTER XL THE FATE OF THE WIZARD — SKIN DRESSING — THE NF^ WIFE. Leaving the witch-doctor to pursue his way and find the charm, I will return to the illfated victim. The "hoys" armed with the knoh-kerries had seized him, trembling but silent, in their grasp; while a decided expression of relief broke over the features of the rest. They, at any rate, were safe. Yet the accused must have been a friend of many there; but, strange to say, none spoke in his favour. On the contrary, all appeared even fearful to come in contact with him, and drew off a little distance. The so-called wizard was now interrogated, and commanded to produce the charm with which, by the aid of spells, he had brought the present illness upon Anzutu. In vain the poor fellow declared his innocence, protesting his loyalty to his chief and all belonging to him. It made little difference. The question was reiterated, till he exclaimed, ** I FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 129 have no clarm — it is no use asking — I must die." It was at this mouieut that the witch-doctor returned, performing many eccentric bounds of triumph, and holding in his hand a little tuft 'of fur and a string of beads, which the chief Metilulu instantly declared to belong to his wife. This, as may be conceived, sealed the fate of the poor fellow whom they had so soon created into a wizard. He was immediately seized by his tormentors, who, flinging him upon the ground, began to pierce his quivering body in every part with Kaffir needles. It is necessary to qualify the word needle, for the Kaffir needle more resembles a skewer than the pretty little article which looks so well in our countrywoman's fingers. This was kept up till the whole surface of the sufferer's body was inflamed and irritated to the last degree. I grew sick in watching these brutes, and, but for very fear, could have shrieked in compassion, though scarcely a groan escaped the victim. A European, I am sure, must have fainted repeatedly under such torture; but the Kaffir never once lost consciousness ; and in this case, as in many others I witnessed, I was perfectly assured that, whether from their hardy mode of life and healthy consti- tution, or from some other cause, these savajre 130 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. people are not so sensitive to pain as inhabitants of civilized countries. While some five or six had been probing the miserable man's body till their hands were tired, others had been kindling a fire, where they were heating several large stones. When these were thoroughly heated, the wizard was borne near, fastened firmly down, and —I shiver as I recall it — the red-hot stones were placed upon the quivering flesh, which cracked and shrivelled under the weight and heat. Sick and dizzy with horror, I could bear it no longer, but fled, fled till 1 could get free of the smell of burning flesh and away from the terrible picture of hellish torment, only relieved by the stoicism of the victim, who bore it all without a cry. I then flung myself on the ground, nearly fainting with disgust. I grew worse still when I remembered that the fate of this man might be mine, should I ofi'end these people. My first instinct was to take at once to the bush, and quit the incarnate fiends ; but after-reflection told me the absurdity of such an act. First, it was broad day, and my figure might easily be distinguished ; secondly, the Kaftirs were scattered everywhere about the kraal, so that at any time FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 131 I might encounter one, whose suspicions would speedily be aroused by seeing me so far from the huts ; while, lastly, I was utterly destitute of pro- visions or weapons. Therefore, after a time, I saw the wisest course was for me to return, and to conform to their customs if necessary — save that of taking unto myself a wife, — and, by keepiug my eyes open, seize the first opportunity to escape. So, making a considerable detour to avoid the spot where the wretched wizard had suffered, and where, to my renewed horror, I could just perceive that the torture was still going on — indeed it was some hours before nature finally succumbed, and the man got rest at last in death — I proceeded towards the kraal, but changed my intention on coming across a group of Kaftirs engaged on some work. As I was now looked upon in the most neighbourly manner by them, and desiring myself to appear friendly, I drew near, and, by signs, entered into conversation. There were three of them squatting upon the ground, with an eland's skin between them, which they were scraping with all their might. Having sat down, and with gravity suitable to the solem- nity of the occasion, accepted snuff from one of the 133 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. workers, I made them understand that I should like to know wb. ': they were doing. By signs 1 managed to make out that they were tanning the skin, and watched the process with much interest. They continued to scrape the inside till it was perfectly free from grease, relieving the monotony of their lahour hy snatches of song, snuff taking and smoking, between intervals of dumb-show conversation with myself. By Tugela's kindness, I had been presented with a pipe, the possession of which is considered by a Kaffir as the highest bliss. A company of tliem, when tobacco is scarce, will even smoke in the following original manner : — One will draw in from the pipe as much as his mouth will possibly hold, then pass it to the next, and so on till all the company have been served ; then they retain the fumes so long that the vessels of the head grow surcharged with it, when the smokers drop intoxi- cated on to the ground — an insensibility from which he is recovered by the kindness of friends, who, by buffets, pinches, and hair-pullings, will restore him at last to consciousness. However, on the present occasion each was fortunate enough to possess his own. Mine was a long reed, with a clumsy bowl, about four times the size of a large FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 133 European pipe. This capacious hollow was filled with rough, coarse tohacco, which few Englishmen would smoke except under such conditions as my own. I could get no other, so was ohliged to make the hest of it. When every morsel of the hide had been well manipulated the next process was commenced. Fastening several of their needles together —the sight of them made me grow faint, — they began twirling the bundle between their hands, so that the sharp points tore the skin till it was roughed in every part ; then taking a powder, made from the rotten root of the acacia tree, they rubbed it into the hide with all their might; and this, which answered the same purpose as our tanpit, they con- tinued to do till the skin was ready for use. From these, and numerous other skins, the Kaffir kaross, or cloak, is made. That article, fastened round the neck, falls down the back, and, save in winter, is more for show than use. Many skins have to be used in their manufacture, especially when the hide is of a small animal, such as the meerkat. In that case, it is most wonderful to see the neatness with w^hich they are sewn to- gether. It is truly surprising, when it is considered that their only implements are the needles pre- 134 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. viously mentioned, a stiff fibre ior thread, and a stone to rub smooth the seams. Yet despite these disadvantages, when compleated, the kaross, but for the difference of shade, might be taken for a whole and perfect skin. Having whiled away the time successfully enough by watching this process, I bade farewell to the skin-dressers, and returned to the kraal and to my own hut in no very bright spirits. Finding some dried koodoo flesh and a little amasi left in the gourd which had been brought me, I ate these and then sat down on my mat to await the arrival of Tugela who, I felt certain, would visit me after the terrible ceremony of the day was over. I was not wrong ; he soon made his appearance, his face wearing a bright smile — an expression I had noted on several Kaffir features as they passed my hut. This gave me confidence ; for I felt we had become such good friends that he would not smile if things were going wrong, so, with a sensa- tion of relief, I bade him welcome, and asked the news. He replied upon a subject very different to that I was thinking about. "The great chief Metilulu," he said, "has ordered the elephant hunt to take place to-morrow, and I came to tell you." FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 135 ** To-morrow ! " I exclaimed ; "I thought Me- tilulu intended to he present himself.'* " He will he so." "But the illness of his wife.*' •'Why should a woman keep the great chief from his pleasure ? " responded Tugela, in a tone of contempt at the idea ; " but Anzutu is better," ** Better ! I am delighted.'' "No sooner had the wizard suffered," said Tugela innocently, " than Anzutu grew better. Had the charm not been found, she would have died." He spoke this so seriously that I dared not express my doubt upon the point ; yet I could not refrain from saying — "But supposing, Tulega, the witch-doctor had selected another as the wizard." " He would not, because the one he discovered was the right man." " Possibly ; yet each Kaffir, I fancied, looked as if he feared the selection might fall upon himself." " Because they are all aware of the power of the witch-doctor. He knows more than we do," said Tugela, with evidently a firm belief in his words. " The one he selected was the right one," he a(ided, " for, see, has not Anzutu recovered ? " I saw no arguments of mine would shake Tugela's l36 FIFTEEN MOiNtHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. faith in the terrible superstition which gave such an awful power to the men who w^orked upon it, so dropped the subject, and began to ask him respecting the hunt of the next mornino:. He told me that the foot- print of a majestic elephant had been discovered some days back, and the Kafllrs wxre eager to track it. " Some days back," I repeated ; '* will they bo able to discover it again?" " Certainly. We Kaffirs have a method of re- membering the track of an elephant." He began to explain the method to me, wlien he was suddenly interrupted by a great hubbub with- out. He instantly started to the door, and I followed. The bridegroom of the previous day stood outside, surrounded by a number of Kaffirs, to whom he was angrily gesticulating. Not being able to un- derstand his harangue, I had to wait till I got it second-hand from Tugcla, who told me that the bridegroom's wives had that afternoon gone out gothering w^ood in the bush ; but when he returaed, he had found all his wives at home save the youngest, whom he had paid so many cows for on the previous day ; while his questions respecting her whereabouts had elicted no satisfactory answers, thoudi he had had liberal recourse to tlie stick. Though these people practice polygamy, giving FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 137 for a cause, if asked, tlie necessity for keeping their huts right, getting their dinners cooked, and grounds tilled, and though they treat their women not very much hetter than the Australian natives, yet they are extremely jealous respecting their wives' fidelity. Tiie chief has a regular harem, which has a special guard to watch who goes out or in. Should a wife he found unfaithful, the punish- ment is severe, sometimes even death. I helieve that, in the present case, the hushand fancied his new wife had fled to another kraal, for he was extremely irate ; hut he first decided to go to the bush where the women had been, so he started off with several others, Tugela and myself among the number, led by the boy (in our sense of the word) who had gone out with the women — not to help, be it understood, for at an early age the male sex asserts its superiority. Forward we went into the bush, lit up by the red glow of the setting sun, but not a sign could we discover of the lost wife. For over an hour we searched and called in vain, and the husband ordered a return, stating his resolve to visit the neighbouring kraals next morning, and demand to have his wife restored, as he felt certain she had fled to one of them. It was at this moment that a 138 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. peculiai cry from one of the Kaffirs brought all the rest to the spot. There on the grass, apparently murdered, laid the body of the young wife. The horror I ex- perienced at the sight was not seemingly felt by my companions, rage being the only feeling they exhi- bited. However, signs of life were detected in the body and we bore it back to the kraal. A large wound was on the skull, while there were others about the body, such as, with a European, might in all probability have caused death, but to my surprise Tugela said that he had no doubt the w^oman would soon get over it. " But who could have tried to murder her ? " I asked. " The other wives," he replied coolly. " The other wives ! In Heaven's name, why ? ** "Prom jealousy. Old wives do not like young ones." *' And what will they get for doing it ? " " Stick, a great deal of stick." Tugela was right ; the wives did get " stick " con- siderably ; while a few days after, I saw the young wife working in the kraal as if nothing had hap- pened. The tenacity of life in these people, I confess, was great indeed. Plfl'liEN MOKIUIS AMONG THE KAFflRS. 139 CHAPTER Xn. THE ELEPHANT HUNT—MY MIND MADE EASIER. When morning dawned and I recollected that it was the day of the elephant hunt in which Metilulu was to bear a part, I felt by no means easy in my mind respecting the meeting. But as it has always been my nature to put the best face on affairs, however gloomy, and to trust in that Providence which already had dealt so kindly by me, I placed a small kaross, which had been given me, over my shoulders, for my red seaman's shirt was now absolutely in rags, and, taking my breakfast, awaited news. The kraal was full of animation, occasioned, as I afterwards learned, by the fact that Metilulu had expressed his intention to bivouac out that night, so as to pay due honour to the elephant when killed. Tugela had been telling me, at the time of the interruption caused by the missing wife hubbub, that one way in which they entrapped elephants 140 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. was by means of a pit -fall, such as that into which poor Thompson had stumbled ; but that this plan did not succeed long together, for these animals have such reasoning powers that after one or two of the herd had been thus caught, the rest become most wary, and ahvays place an old, sagacious one in front, which carefully feels the ground Avith his foot before advancing, so that directly it touches the branches laid over the pit, he detects the deception and avoids it. The hunt which was to take place was to be a different kind to this. The footprint of a remarkably fine elephant had been discovered, and the tusks would evidently be a valuable prize to the slayer. I had already expressed surprise as to how a Kaffir, finding these footprints, could track the elephant after some days had intervened. I now ascertained that the native, on coming across a foot-mark, took ofi* the impression in soft clay ; and so accurately do they manage this, that, among a hundred other prints, they can still keep to the one belonging to the animal they wish to kill. Tugela having joined mo with the intelligence that the hunters w^ere about to start, I proceeded to the outside of the kraal, and was no little pleased to find that Metilulu was not there. As, however, HFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIKS. 141 I understood he was to be present, I could not help making a cautious inquiry respecting his non- attendance, and heard that it was his royal pleasure to come on afterwards, to be in, according to English fox-hunters* phraseology, at the death and the sumptuous feast of elephant feet. 4 Having used my weapons to so good a purpose before, I was aofain accommodated with some as- sagais and a shield ; and, with my trousers worn down to knee-breeches, my boots long discarded, my browned stockingless feet, bronzed face, and the fur kaross over my shoulders, I really began to look very like the Kaffirs about me. One of the natural proclivites of mankind, I verily believe, is a decided love for the chase. Certainly, as I strode along, surrounded by the lithe, vigorous, armed forms of my companions, with the fresh morning air blowing on my cheek, the expanse of wondrous scenery stretching on every side, and my spears in my hand, I felt my blood beginning to beat with renewed energy, and the depression ^^hich late events had cast upon me gradually wearing off. The model of the elephant's foot which we tracked was soon brought into requisition. We had scarcely gone half-an -hour's sharp march before we came 142 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. across several footprints, in which the one we were after was apparent. I did not think that these animals came so near the vicinity of man as the marks proved; but Tugela said that at times a herd of them would make a swoop in the niglit upon the kraal itself, and destroy all the crops growing near. The only way they had of scaring them was to light large fires, make as much noise as they could, and — think of it, fond English mothers — to beat all the children in the com- munity, so that the addition of their shrill infantine yells might terrify the ponderous animals. The track having been discovered, the hunters proceded with much caution. We advanced slowly, but I found that it was not even then easy to keep up with the natives, whose smooth, well-oiled bodies seemed to glide through the bush. I ma- naged to keep on, carefully avoiding any parasite at all resembling the uncaria procumbens, or hook plant. About an hour after we had lighted upon the first footprints, we reached an opening or glade witliin the bush, where through the tall tree -trunks we perceived about four or five elephants browsing. My lack of knowledge respecting hunting in Kaf- frari.i would speedily have finished me off entirely HOW WE HUXTED THE ELEPHANT. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 145 had not Tugela had the forethought to advise me to take to a tree, and hurl my assagais from thence ; for to a European, with a body not devoid of clothes, neither well oiled or accustomed to the exercise, it would he impossible to penetrate the bush rapidly enough to avoid the enraged animal, which, when struck, always takes to the forest in the direction of his assailants. Accepting his advice, I speedily selected a tall tree, which, thanks to my nautical experience, I climbed with ease, and from its branches looked down upon the black, shining bodies of the hunters and the browsing elephants, as yet unconscious of the danger which was so near at hand. Tugela had pointed out to me the beast which was to be the victim — a fine fellow truly — and I longed for a rifle, when I could have picked him off in a couple of shots. I soon found the assagai wounded only to irritation, and finally killed by exhaustion, just as a man might die from being pricked to death by large pins. I have no doubt this is the reason why the Kaffirs attack only one out of a herd. Looking down, I perceived that the hunters were approaching the edge of the bush, which yet concealed them, wriggling through it like snakes, holding their assagais in readiness. As 146 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. they neared the open space, I fancied the elephant became aware of our presence, for the one we had spotted threw up his trunk suddenly, stamped with its foot, and uttered one of their loud, peculiar, trumpet -like cries. The next moment some twenty assagais shot with unerring aim through the air, and penetrated the animal's thick leather-like hide. His cry of fear and rage was terrible to hoar. First he seemed confounded, then, while the rest fled in terror, conscious, no doubt, by his cries til at danger was in their neighbourhood, he rushed blindly forward into the bush. I now recoonized the wisdom of Tuoela's advice to such an amateur hand as I ; for as the enraged beast dashed on, trampling the underwood beneath his feet, it was as much as the Kaflirs themselves could do to avoid being crushed by slipping out of the way. Like monkevs, they dodged about him, darting their assagais at every opportunity that presented itself, while I from my vantage-ground hurled one now and then with all the force I could command. I must not forget to mention one very important auxiliary of the hunters. This was their dogs. These little wretches, now let loose, snapped and FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 147 barked about tbe ponderous creature, irritating him to such a degree as to render him at times quite regardless of the sharp stings — for they appeared little more — of the spears. I have said that I only occasionally cast an as- sagai. I did so for this reason : I now had always the thought of escape before my eyes, so I refained from parting with all my weapons, thinking they might prove of greater use hereafter ; so I merely acted as spectator, and looked on till I began to fancy the miserable creature never would fall. It truly was a cruel kind of hunting. His massive body was covered with blood streaming from the many wounds, and he staggered on his thick legs ; but he yet continued to dash at his assailants, maddened by rage and pain, and strove to turn sharply upon the snapping, barking dogs. At last, however, when his black hide resembled a ladv's pincushion supplied with many pins, he gave a great reel, a final cry, and sunk slowly upon his knees, apparently dead. A delighted shout issued from the throats of the hunters, as, swarming forward, they repossessed themselves of their weapons, then proceeded to place on the animal's tusks the mark of their owner, who, by hunter's rules, was the one who had in- 148 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. flicted the first wound, after which they cut off its tail, that being, like the fox's brush in England, considered a great trophy. Seeing no reason why I should remain longer in my private box, the drama having come to an end, I made haste to descend; but whether it was through being incommoded with the spears I carried, or from some other reason, certain it is that I had not got more than half-way down, when I fell —fell, as ill luck would have it, right into the extended branches of a hook plant. Instantly aware of my danger, I strove to free myself; but quickly found that what Mr. Ferguson had said was true — that the more one tried to clear them- selves, the more entangled they would get. The plant seemed endowed with life, and with its fingers fastened closer and closer about me at the least move ; therefore I wisely remained motionless, only exerting my voice, which I did to the top of my lungs. For some while no heed was paid me, all the Kaffirs being too busily engaged with their prize ; but after about a quarter an hour, as far as I could judge, Tugela come to ascertain the cause of my shouting. On perceiving the fix I was in, he burst into a fit of laughter, for the Kaffir dearly loves FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 149 fun, or anything verging on a joke. As nothing better occurred to me, I laughed too till his face growing more serious, I put the question as to how I was to get free. There was but one method. Like the sheep in the fable, which got into a thorn bush to shelter itself from the storm, to quit the hook plant I was compelled to leave my fleece, or clothes, behind me. This, considering the state they were in, I found but little difficulty in doing, and when once extri- cated, with Tugela's help, I managed to recover my rags by cutting them from the thorns. On donning them, however, I became aware that I should very speedily have to adopt the native dress entirely useless I intended to go without any costume at all. This was the first time I had come in close con- tact with the unfriendly grasp of the hook plant, but, I am sorry to say, it was not the last. I shall have to recount a similar event farther on, when I was not so fortunate in getting so speedily extri- cated, but really believed that, after all my hair- breath escapes, death had seized me indeed. But to return to the hunting party. Metilulu had by this time arrived, and was waiting in the glade for the next ceremonies to 150 FIFIEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. begin. I had now of necessity to make my pearance before him, and did so with some trepid / tion, but to my great relief found that he welcome me with a smile, and by a sign invited me to sit down by him. I instantly obeyed, and, as a natural consequence on such instances, Tugela took his place close at hand. I knew by his expression that the lirst remark the chief made was respecting my torn garments, the reason for which seemed to amuse him as much as it had the interpreter, for he laughed heartily. Much to my satisfaction, he appeared in the best of tempers ; perhaps it arose from the prospect of the feast he was going to enjoy and the joila or beer he had already drunk, for a jar of that much beloved liquor stood within reach, and of which he condescendingly invited me to partake. He then, through Tugela, asked me what I bad thought of the hunt, and how it was conducted in our country. I replied that we had no such animals in England, or even in Europe, but when our people settled in or visited Africa, or another great country called India, they used a rifle which killed the elephants in a quarter of the time the assagais did. This seemed to astonish him somewhat, though he had heard of and even seen guns; the Boers had them, he said, and some FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 151 travellers who liad stayed at the kraal a few days had carried such weapons. My readers may imagine how my heart leaped at this last news, which showed that white men did occasionally come there, and were permitted to leave unmolested. I drew hope for my deliverance from it, and the landscape, with its candelabra- looking euphorbia trees and parisitical monkey- ropes, seemed a far brighter aspect to my eyes than they had the moment before. So elated was I at this intelligence I had just heard, that I determined to win Metilulu's good opinion as much as I possibly could, for which purpose I gave Tugela enough to do to interpret the enthusiastic praises I expressed for everything wbicli 1 had witnessed in KafFraria — omitting the wizard affair of course— while I also gave the chief long accounts upon any subjects respecting my own land that I thought would amuse him. During our conversation the hunters had been engaged with the slain elephant. Having cut a large hole in its side, they removed the intestines, which they considered the finest part. As the feast was to be held on the spot, two of the animal's massive feet were severed, and prepared to be baked with some slices of the trunk. 152 FIFTKEN MONTHS A^IONG THE KAFFIRS. The metliod of baking is as follows : — A large hole is dug in the ground, which is filled with wood and dry moss ; this is ignited, and kept supplied till the cavity is filled with glowing embers; these are removed by the Kaffirs with large poles —for the heat is intense, — then the large elephant's foot is rolled into the burning hole, and immediately covered with fresh branches, which are lighted — in fact a bonfire is made, and when it has burnt itself out the cooking is considered com- plete. The foot presents when done a most gelatinous appearance, and, as I had the honour of dinin^r with the chief, I suppose I was regaled with th^ best parts. Hunger acting as an excellent sauce, I thought the repast extremely ^ood, and began to think that there were other foods worth eating besides our British chops and steaks. The feasting lasted some time ; for when a Kaffir gets an opportunity of eating flesh ad libitum, he makes good use of it, and their capacity of con- sumption is immense, as will be seen when I state that, on looking round at the conclusion of the meal, I perceived the skeleton of the elephant alone remaining. Save a few strips which were hung over the branches of the trees to dry for the FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 153 morrow — called " biltono^ue " in the native Ian- guage — every atom of the flesli had been consumed. The hunters, and especially Metilulu, having eaten and drank till nature could receive no more, rolled themselves in their karosses, and, having first placed a guard to keep up the fires, so as to scare ofi* the wild beasts, extended themselves on the ground to seek the sleep which speedily came to them. With a fervent prayer that Metilulu mioht always keep in his present good humour, I thought I could not do better than follow the excellent ex- ample of my companions ; and I remember I fell asleep wondering how it was that the chief had never referred to the handsome present of a wife which he had wished to make me. 154 FIFTEEN MONTHS AHONO THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER XIII. UNPLEASANT NEWS — DEATH OF ANZUTU — FUNERAL RIT The sun had not risen very high before the huntir. party was astir and preparing to return to the kraal. The head of the elephant was left where it was to decompose, which, under such a sun, it would not take long doing, when the tusks could easily be removed. It may appear strange that so valuable a portion of the animal should be left unguarded in the bush, but there is a great amount of honour between Kaffir hunters, and each strictly respects the mark of the other. The Kaffir whose property they had become by right of the first wound was a great hunter, as could be seen by the leopard tails which formed his aprons and the teeth of wild beasts of which his necklaces and bracelets were composed. In Kaffraria, if a man wants to dress in these much-prized ornaments, he cannot pur- chase them, but must first slay their natural pos- sessors. So proud is the hunter of these trophies of his prowess, that he will rarely part with them save to his chief or the exacting witch-doctor. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 155 I learnt that tlie liunter was not going to keep the tusks, but would present them later on to the chief: this being the customary thing whenever the chief was present. On nearing the kraal I remarked a sudden change in my companions' manner, which I attributed to the appearance of, or signs made by, some Kaffirs who stood at the entrance to the huts, evidently watching for our return, for no sooner did we come in sight than they advanced towards us. As they approached, I saw they were divested of all orna- ments, while they wore the oldest aprons and karosses they possessed. Guessing that there must be some cause for this, I awaited the result with much curiosity. The two parties had now advanced near enough to exchange sentences, and no sooner were the first uttered than a mournfully dolorous cry arose from the hunters, who frantically began tearing off their ornaments, even to the chief Metilulu, who, in- stantly taking the lead, hurried on as fast as his obesity would permit. Remembering how the Jews of old, on the illness or death of those dear to them, rent their garments and cast dust upon their heads, I could not help fancying that this removal of all decorations, ac- 156 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. companied by the cries of sorrow, must be occa- sioned by the same cause. So as soon as I had readied Tugela's side, I questioned him on the subject. He answered that during our absence Anzutu had been taken much worse, and was not expected to recover. He told me this in a round-about way, for the Kaffir avoids the word " death," and it is not considered etiquette to ever mention it in a chief's presence. It forms with them one of those sacred words, which are never pronounced, at least publicly. Most superstitious tribes have one or more of these words. Though a Kaffir has no idea of time, and regards his life as not his own, but his chief's, who may order his execution at any moment he pleases, yet they greatly dread death when it comes naturally, and would give anything to conceal those precursors of old age — grey hairs. When I heard that Anzutu would probably die after all, I could not help thinking that the death of the wretched wizard had not done much good. Whether Tugela had divined my thoughts I do not know, but when he spoke again he certainly answered them. '* Had Metilulu applied to the witch-doctor sooner," he said, '* this might not have been ; the FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 157 wizard had got too much power before he was stopped** I wondered what crafty witch-doctor had first instilled that idea. We had now entered the kraal, w^here I found both men and women attired in their oldest aprons, without ornament, and all betraying the deepest signs of grief. Metilulu, attended only by his chief warriors, had hurried to his own hut to await further bulletins, which soon came, for we had not returned an hour before the news spread through the community that Anzutu was dead. Never shall I forget the terrific noise which then arose. Shriek after shriek — howl after howl — groan after groan rose and fell like the wailings of lost souls. Had Pandemonium broken loose it could not have been worse. Work w^as suspended entirely, and, stranger still for a Kaffir, eating and drinking also. There they sat howling. Feeling myself rather out of place in such a scene, I retired to my hut, and watched proceedings through the entrance. Soon the news travelled to the other kraals, and, to my consternation— for I was almost deafened by the noise already — fresh parties kept arriving all day, and, after taking their places, added their 158 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG FEE KAFFIRS. voices to the rest. I guessed that Metilulu must he a powerful chief among the trihes, for the whole day and night they still kept coming, and the noise sometimes sinking, would break out with renewed vigour, while never did T see one of the people seek refreshment. Fortunately I had some dried eland flesh in the hut, and my occasional meals off this alone broke the monotony of the most miserable twenty-four hours I had yet spent in Kaffraria. In the morning the cries had not ceased ; but I went forth, feeling sure that some ceremony — per- haps the burial — would take place after such an uproar, as they could scarcely support it much longer. I had seen a wedding— I had seen a Kaffir baby just after birth, with its skin almost as white as a European's, but darkening rapidly after- wards, — and now I desired to witness a funeral. Proceeding towards Metilulu's huts — that is, his own and those of his wives — I found him outside, dressed in full warrior costume, as were those who stood about him. They were engaged in singing a wild native song; then the chief issued some orders. I had no need to understand the language to learn what they were, as they were instantly followed by the execution of several of the tribe, this evidently being the custom. The poor fellows FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 159 received their fate without a murmur; for, as before stated, in KafFraria the chief's word is Law, and one which his people obey even on such oc- casions with rejoicings. Indeed, the very men before me who were waiting their turn were eulo- gising the fat despot. Since I saw this, I have read that upon the death of persons of rank, a general massacre will fre- quently take place, as much from the people's desire to show their sympathy as from the chiefs direct orders. When the executions were over, the cries con- tinued, till I beheld many fall down insensible from exhaustion; and glad enough I was when that day and night also came to an end, for I hoped it would be the last of it, as the following morning the remains of Anzutu were to be con- sioned to the earth. It is a sino^ular fact that the custom of burying the dead is prevalent all over world, save in India with the Parsees, where the funeral pyre is raised and the body consumed by fire. While speaking upon this subject, I may as well say a few words upon the ordinary rite of burial ; for it must be remembered that I am here recount- ing the death and interment of a person of rank. 160 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. In that case the show ceremonies are as different in Kaffrariaas in our own land, where the plain hearse and mourning coach tell of a poor person's demise, and waving feathers, velvet trappings, a long string of carriages, men with gilt-tipped rods, announce that of a rich man. Even in death, he cannot surrender the pomp and vanities of this world, hut would, as it were, strive to prove the falsity of the saying, " In death all are equal." But to return to the Kaffirs. On the death of a chief the people mourn and fast, as ahove described, till the dead man is buried in the isibaya, where only the head men are permitted to be interred, and where women are never permitted to enter, dead or alive. The commoners are buried outside the kraal in small holes. Hole is the proper word to use, for it is small and deep, the body not lying horizontally, but in a sitting position, with the knees close up to the chin. By its side are buried the weapons it used in life, the points being bent to render them useless ; while if it be a chief, and rich, oxen are at times killed at the grave. The next morning all turned out 'to attend the funeral, I, of 'course, making one of the number, though I did not mingle with the chief" mourners. A very large hole had been made— about S3ven FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. IGi feet square, — which caused me to think, if it were for Anzutu, she must have far exceeded her husband in bulk; but my horror was agaiii excited when I found that, as Metilulu desired to show every possible honour to his departed wife, he had issued an order that half-a-dozeu young girls were to be buried alive with her. I had often heard of the custom of immolating victims at the grave of a chief in savage countries, and I had read the adventures of that Marco Polo of Eastern romance, Sinbad, wherein he had, accord- ing to the custom of the country, been buried with his dead wife; but I had never known till now that the terrible rite of interrinof the livino^ with the dead existed in Kaffraria. As I have, I believe, previously stated, female Kaffir beauty is anytliing but prepossessing to European eyes ; yet I felt my flesh creep, and my pulses throb with impotent rage, as any English- man's would, at the sight of these young girls being, without the least resistance, buried alive. The thought was too horrible, and, starting up, I determined, regardless of the consequences, to ex- postulate with Metilulu upon the performance of such a barbarous rite. Hastening on, I came across Tugela, to whom M 162 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. as I should require his assistance, I naturally con- fided my intention. He looked at me first in surprise ; then most earnestly persuaded me, lor my own safety, to refrain from such an absurd proceeding, affirming that whatever I might say to Metilulu, in his present state of grief he would not listen, hut, on the contrary, would very likely have me executed too for trying to insult the memory of his wife. Despite these assertions, I was yet persisting in my plan, when Tugela put a stop to it entirely by saying that if T was resolved, so was he not to interpret correctly a sentence of my request. Therefore I had to give up my attempt, consol- ing myself with the belief — which was no doubt correct — that my words would have had little if any effect upon the despotic ruler. Meanwhile the rites went on, the awful burial took place, a special guard was placed over the spot to watch there for one year, and the mourners returned to the kraal, where another ceremony consequent upon the death took place, which again reminded me of the Jewish laws regarding cleansing and purification. The prophets, or doctors, of the kraal, on the people's return, sent them to bathe in an adjacent stream, and afterwards administered mediciuf^ to FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 163 each, while those who had actually touched the body had to undergo this purification twice before they could resume their usual every-day labour. A Kafiir has a great repugnance to touch a corpse. It is only their love which will make them do so at all, and cases are frequent, where the affection has not been great, that the relations of the dying person, not waiting for their death, have cast them into a river, to save the necessity of handling the dead body a few hours later. Oxen were now killed and prepared for the funeral feast, during the preparation of which the company unceasingly bewailed the loss of the departed ; then having heartily partaken of the meal, all repaired to their different kraals, I was no little pleased to see an end of it, and when all at last seemed quiet, I set out for a saunter, hoping to come across Tugela. This I soon did, and, after a little while asked him why Metilulu had taken my refusal so indifi'erently, appearing, indeed, not to have noticed it. Tugela explained the mystery in a few words, and to this effect — "The wife Metilulu has chosen for you," he said, " is the daughter of a head man, who died some time ago, leaving this only child. As there 164 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. were no relations to take charge of her, Metilulu adopted Zenuta himself. When she grew old enough he proposed several suitors to her, hut she refused all. Now, however, she has fallen in love with you, aud has asked the chief to let you be her husband." "I feel deeply flattered by the lady's preference,'* I said, " but, as I have previously said, Tugela, it is quite impossible, as I have a wife already. By the laws of my religion I should commit a great crime by taking another, and must therefore decline her advances. But this does not explain your chief's silence." " That arises because Metilulu does not care about her marriage with a white man, and also that he has had trouble of his own since. No doubt he has forgotten the aff*air, but he will not for long." " Why not ? " •'Because Zenuta is impetuous. She will re- mind him." "What will he do then?" "Why, if he accepts your refusal, she will be eniaged. He might offer you her only to attend upon you— not as a wife in that case." " If so, what would you advise me to do ? " I asked. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 165 " Take her," he rejoined ; " it may preserve you from Mutilulu's anger, for Zenuta makes a dreadful turmoil among the wives, and worries him." The latter news made me have hut a poor opinion of the lady's temper ; yet I thought if I were com- pelled to accept her as my drudge, I might at least make the girl's life happier hy making her duties light. To change the suhject, I then told Tugela that, as my European garments were no longer worthy the name, I should much like to procure some skins to make myself others. He said he would see to it, and the next day got permission to take me out hunting, when I was fortunate enough to kill an eland, out of the skin of which I managed, after a fashion, only having an assagai-head for a knife and fibre for thread, to construct a garment some- thing similar to that worn by the ancient Britons — that is, a narrow skirt reaching from the waist to the knee, while a broad strip of the same material came over the right shoulder, and fastened again to the skirt behind. Had any one in my native village seen me in that strange costume, with arms and legs burnt to a dark brown, as was my face and neck, and my black hair grown till it fell over my shoulders, 166 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. while my beard and moustache, all in one, formed a flowing appendage over my breast, they would never have recognized Richard Galbraith, the once neat, trim, clean-shaven, English sailor. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 167 CHAHTER XIT. A TALK ABOUT MARRIAGE — ZENUTA, MY SERVANT — KAFFIRS AND FISH. I MUST now, with the reader's permission, pass over a period of nearly six months ; for to relate minutely my mode of life during that time would be but an useless recapitulation, interspersed by koodoo and fan-elephant hunting, which would become monotonous. In respect to M.Q>ti\u\\i's prote(/e, Zenuta, Tugela had prophecied correctly. She speedily brought me again to the chief's remembrance, and this time he spoke to me in propria persona, and desired me to accept her. Making my reply as respectfully as I possibly could, I immediately answered, as I had to Tugela, that my religion forbade my taking another wife, as I had one living already in England, and that were I to do so, I should, in my own eyes and those of my countrymen, commit a great crime. The reason of my refusal seemed to create un- bounded surprise to Metilulu, who gave utterance to many Kaffir ejaculations. Then he said gravely — 168 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. " If you have but one wife, how can ske do all tlie work ? It is impossible ! She must herself object to such an arrangement : she would want other waves to help her." Let me here remark that such is the case in KafFraria, where a wife will often urge her husband to take more wives, so that her own labour may be lessened ; and this is no wonder, when we consider that the most arduous and incessant toil falls to the woman's lot, while their lords and masters idle their time away in sitting and smoking in their hut when they are not milking their cows or hunting. In reply to Metilulu, I informed him that women did not work in my country as they did in his. There the. men performed most of the out-door labour, while the women attended to the home duties. The chief smiled derisively as he rejoined that my England must be a very strange country. He then was anxious to know who ground the corn and tilled the fields — whether the men or the women. " The men cultivate the ground," I replied, "while the corn is made into flour by machinery." The last word seemed beyond his comprehension, so I tried to explain my meaning, aiding the ^^^J A TALK Willi ME'lILULU. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 171 description by tracing a windmill with my finger on the ground ; but I fear when I ended that he had but a poor idea of the mechanism after all. " But if the men work, w4io hunts ? " he asked, adding, with a laugh — ** perhaps the women ? " I replied that England had never possessed the wild animals Africa had, and those which were native to the soil — such as wild cats, wolves, and foxes — had mostly been exterminated, while the forests had been turned into waving cornfields ; therefore there were no hunters such as those he referred to. Of course I did not mention our foxhunters, for he would have thought little of Englishmen's bravery had he heard that some dozen gentlemen, with the aid of a pack of hounds, pursued one poor little fox. As it was, my last statement seemed to him to put the climax to European ignorance and stupidity, for I saw he addressed anything but complimentary remarks respecting our nation to the warriors about him. Then, returning to the subject of marriage, which I had hoped he had forgotten, he continued, with a twinkle in his eyes, as if by the next question he was going to prove me entirely — whether, as men only had one wife in my country, some, no doubt, never married at all. 172 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. I stated that was tlic case, for some by choice remained single all their lives. It was the same in his land sometimes, he laughed, when men were so ugly that no girl would have them ; then they had to remain " hoys " all their lives, without wives or children. At this I assured him it did not always rest in looks, as, however plain he might he, a man could generally find a wii'e ; but he might be a bachelor from inclination. " Then," he demanded quickly, with intense delight at evidently having at last entrapped me, " how could the single men get their work done if they had not a wife ? " I explained at once how in England servants could be hired at a moderate rate, who would do all the work required. This puzzled him immensely, for in l\is mind the duties of servant and wife appeared synonymous, and, with all my explanation, he could hardly recognize the difference. So, after a good deal ot palaver, he finally asked, I fancy owing to a sug- gestion of Tugela's, whether, as I could not accept Zenuta for a wife, I would receive her for a servant. This I agreed to do, as I had previously deter- FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 173 mined ; for at times I had found it awkward to prepare my own meals, and did not care to join the "boys," whose cooking I relished as little as I did the odour of their well-oiled bodies when enclosed in the stiffling atmosphere of their general hut. So Zenuta — a true type of the Kaffir girl, a perfect form, and a plain face — agreeing to the arrange- ment, I became possessed of a servant, who speedily and with alacrity saw to all my wants. Poor thing, she seemed absolutely devoted to me, and would have crushed corn or rolled tobacco all day long if I had permitted her. This crushing corn and rolling tobacco are both arduous processes. The former is done between two stones — the under largo and shelving, so as to allow the boiled maize or corn ears to be pushed off when finished; the upper is a much smaller and round stone, which the worker holds in her hands, and pounds or presses with all her strength. The other process consists in rolling the leaves of the plant between the hand and tliigh or calf of the leg — a work that soon renders the skin remarkably tender till it has become hardened by use. I say Zenuta would have gladly done all this, had 1 required it, but, on the contrary, I strove to render her life as easy as possible, and, very much i74: FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. to her surprise, I always took care when I had a good meal that she should have one too ; for the custom among her people was generally to leave the refuse to the hardworking woman. Perhaps it would have been wiser had I done differently, for all this behaviour but served to increase her affection, which, at times, I confess, grew rather troublesome. Later on I tried to direct her thouohts into a different channel, with, I flattered myself, some success. As well as my imperfect knowledge of the language would allow, I endeavoured to instruct her and make her comprehend the forms and pure belief of the Christian religion, and by this means proved to her that we might always be very dear friends, but that I could never take her for my wife. Poor Zeuuta ! She looked very sad at first, but when I said I would always try to make her happy, and she might remain with me as she was doing then, as long as she pleased, she brightened up, and a short while alter, breaking a slight pause, besought me to tell her about my English wife and my own land. I did so, and very frequently afterwards our conversation turned upon these two topics ; till one day, as if carried away by my description, she FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 175 threw herself at my feet and begged me, if I should ever go back, to take her with me. This question put a sudden idea into my head. Might it not be likely that, through this girl, I could ascertain how far off the white settlements were ? Therefore, giving an evasive reply to the entreaty, I at once began to interrogate her upon the subject, but soon found my hopes were chimeras; she knew little more than I had already learned from Tugela and Metilulu. White traders had passed through the kraal, but beyond that she knew nothing, save repeating as had the others, that white people were a long off. All I could do was to console myself at my ill-luck as best I could. It will be seen from this that my stay in Knffraria for the six month had not been so comfortable as to prevent my trying to return home. On the contrary, the thought of return occupied me constantly, and I certainly should have endeavoured to have escaped long before, had I been able to obtain the least information respecting the direction I ought to take. As it was, I felt I might only brave the dangers of the bush to eventually fall into worse hands than those I was already in, from whom up to this time I had received nothing but kindness. 176 FlFfEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Therefore, till a more favourable opportunity offered, I resolved to make myself as comfortable as I could where I was. By attention and perse- verance I had by this time become no longer a drone in the hive, but a useful member of society. I could tlirsw the assagai so well that I need never be without a dinner of meat when I desired it ; and by the same means I speedily procured both skins and teeth, which, as I did not requife them for ornament, I exchano^ed for tw^o or three cows, and they supplied me and my servant with enough amasi for more than our wants. By doing as little work as I could on Sundays, I liad been able to remember and keep that day holy — a proceeding which had finally attracted the Kaffirs' notice, and on explaining to them why I did this, I found that they possessed some vague idea of a Creator, but that it was deprived of all truth by the heap of ignorant superstitions which surrounded it. ft, however, put the thought into my head to try in a small way to act the missionary to them, and I soon found they would listen attentively enough when I brought the subject forward before a select few, with the liberty of argument — a Kaffir's passion — granted to both sides, but that when I luade an attempt to assemble them together to FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 177 address them, preacher fashion, I signally failed. Yet the few seeds I did manage to cast upon the unpromising soil, I prayed by God's grace might take root and hear fruit hereafter, and at least slightly prepare the ground for those brave self- sacrificing men who make it their work to bring lio^ht into darkness. I had of course during my long sojourn learned much o§ the habits of the Kaffir tribes, and one peQuiarity struck me as very surprising. I found it out in the following manner. An expedition, I forget now for what reason, no doubt to collect shells for ornament, was projected by a party of " boys " to the sea-coast. I asked permission to, accompany them, for I naturally thought it possible that I might sight a passing ship and perhaps make my presence known. For this purpose, on arriving at the shore, I took my place on a rock, and iastening a hook I had made to some thin but strong fibre, I told the " boys " I would wait there till they returned. Having taken for my bait a portion of the flesh of a hyrax I had knocked over with my knobkerrie as I came along, I threw in my line only to appear occupied, for f never dreamed of getting a bite ; but scarcely had I cast my eyes over the broad expanse of waters, 178 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. which to my sorrow ^ as not even broken by a sea bird's wing, than I felt a tug at my line, and with some difficulty landed a fish of a tolerable size, but the name of which I did not know. My first success whetted my appetite for more, and thinking how pleased the Kaffirs would be at the rare dinner I was procuring for them, I again threw in my line, and continued to do so, till, by the time the " boys " returned, I had a pretty considerable heaj^of the finny tribe by my side, which, with no little pride, I showed to my companions. What was my astonishment to find that thev re^rarded them with the greatest disgust. I never saw the same feeling more strongly depicted on any face than on theirs, when, not to be baulked of my treat, I kindled a fire, and grilled some as well as I could on tbe glowing embers, subsequently making a very good meal. On inquiring afterwards of Zenuta the reason for this peculiar aversion, she told me she believed it was owing to some superstition — order, she called it — originating many years previously from the prophets, for there were other things besides iish thev would not eat, unless pressed by extreme hunger, such for instance, as eggs, ducks, and bu.siardSr FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 179 Having finished my meal, I threw all the re- mainder of the fish hack again into the sea, as I felt, being their guest, I had no right to take any- thing to the kraal which was regarded with such repugnance ; and as they had got all they required, we started off homewards, hut had not got half way through the hush when we were suddenly set upon by a buffalo, which is the most terrible foe a Kaffir can encounter, for he does not wait to be attacked, as is the nature of most animals, but begins the fray himself, dashing forward at headlong speed through the bush at its enemy. Fortunately for us, we all managed to climb into trees out of his reach, though one of the party narrowly escaped being trampled and rended to death by the furious brute. The assagais of the rest happily turned him from his prey, who the next instant was far above his reach, and joining with us in taking revenge upon his would-be murderer. It took some time to kill the brute, whose large eyes glared like balls of fire under the shaggy mane . but we succeeded at last, and, descending, soon stripped off the hide, leaving the carcase for the hyenas and jackals, as the Kaffirs do not care for the flesh, which is rather hard, when they can get anything else. We continued our road to 180 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. the kraal, bearing our unexpected trophy with us. Now having just touched upon the landmarks of my history during the six months, I will take up the thread of the story in the next chapter, and in a few succeeding ones will show how I at last came across my old friends, and finally started for the white settlements. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 181 CHAPTER XV. A LION HUNT — THE WAR PARTY — WE HUNT THE KOODOO. One evening, the news ran round the kraal that Metilulu, perhaps being in want of a lion s' in, had issued his royal orders that a hunt of that ininial should take place on the morrow, at which — hear- ing it was conducted differently to that of other beasts — I determined to be present, rather against Tugela's desire, for he assured me it was sometimes a most dangerous affair, and seldom took place without one or two hunters being severely wounded, if not killed. Yet for all this I resolved to make one of the party, telling Tugela that I did not di'eam of joining the hunters, except as a spectator. So the next morning I was up betimes, and ready to set out with the Kaffirs, whom I found carried, beside their usual weapons, an assagai having a bunch of feathers at the top, the purpose of which I could not divine, but patiently waited, as I often had had to do previously, for time to show. I wag now, as may be imagined, very familiar with all the 182 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. tribe, and, by being just able to make myself under- stood, could join them in any affair without the protective presence of Tugela, as in the present case. After assembling we soon set off, and proceeded in so straight a direction that I supposed the lair of a lion had already been ascertained, which sur- mise proved correct, for we had not gone a very great distance before we came in sight of the king of the desert, alone and majestic, having by his side the bare bones of an eland, the flesh of which animal had just served to stay his royal hunger. On perceiving him the Kaffirs separated with the greatest caution, and placed themselves so as entirely to surround the place where he stood, then at the same time disclosed themselves to his view. It is the nature of these animals never to attack a body of men unless urged by extreme hunger, but usually to retreat before them, thinking, like some two-legged animals, that discretion is the better part of valour. It was therefore with the full intention to make a retreat that the noble beast regarded the human circle, till, by its growing smaller and smaller, gradually hemming him in, he appeared quickly to guess their intent, and with a terrific roar of rage, FlFTKtN AJOxNTHS AMONG TEE KAFFIRS, 183 turned fiercely upon tliem. Having excited him up to this point, one of the Kaffirs, advancing before the rest, shook the plumes on his assagai provok- ingly in his face, when, to my terror, he rose suddenly up, and, with the litheness of a cat, made a wondrous hound at his adversary. I could have declared the poor fellow was done for ; but with an agility equal to the lion's, or a monkey's, the hunter struck the spear of his assagai in the ground and nimbly leaped aside, so that the powerful paw of the beast fell upon the feathered head of the weapon with a force which too well proved what the fate of the man would have been had he stood in its place. At the same moment a shower of spears assailed him from the rear, hurled by the enemy behind. Turning round with a terrific roar, he flew savagely at his nearest assailant, who performed the same rapid feat as the first, while another cloud of weapons shot through the air. From the distant bush I watched this stranfje and most dangerous method of hunting — dangerous truly, for even as I looked I perceived one of the men, taken off his guard by an abrupt swerve of the lion, fail in striking his spear and in his leap aside. The next moment the large paw had fallen on the hunter's head with so awful a blow that it 184 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. must have dislocated the spine. The poor fellow dropped as if struck by a thunderbolt, while the strong white teeth of the lion fastened immediately upon his shoulder The rest of the hunters quickly, seizincr the opportunity, hurled assagai after assngai, till, bleeding from numerous wounds, and giving one final roar, the brute fell dead by the side of his victim. I ran forward instantly, as did the others, to find life extinct both in man and bea^t. Save the wound of the cruel teeth in the shoulder, the body of the Kaffir showed no other disli- 1 sup- posed, correctly as it proved, that little of much interest would transpire during the war party's absence. 188 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG TUE KAFFiUS. It happened, as I passed to my own hut, and casually looked in at several others — for I was now 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 ^vall. I should not have noticed this had it occurred merely once ; hut as it was repeated many times, I repaired to Zcnuta — 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 so she knows lier 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 hid 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. Several days elapsed before anything was heard FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 189 of the war party, and nothing of any consequence took pLice at the kraal till it was proposed that a few of us should make a party to hunt the koodoos This animal is much admired owing to its spiral horns, while its flesh — a rarity with South African animals — is both tender and of good flavour. Knowing that the koodoo requires water, we made for a spot where a sparkling river flowed between tw^o shelving plains covered with bright green vegitation. Here we soon came upon several of them, which we proceeded to slay with much caution. The koodoo being a most w^ary animal, we had to approach the herd by large circles, all the while appearing not to notice the animals, who were puzzled at these proceedings. This we con- tinued to do, gradually lessening the distance till within shooting range, when, wheeling round, we hurled our assagais at the startled herd, who sprang off at full speed, but not before we had slain several, among which was a pretty little antelope, called an ourebi. Before returning, we stretched ourselves upon the grass to enjoy the pleasant day and rest a little; but we had not been long in this position before we suddenly perceived a considerable party of Kaftirs, in all the native panoply of war, fording 190 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. tlie river mucli higher up than where we were. Following the example of my companions, I instantly seized my shield and spears,^ and, wriggling like a snake through the grass, reached some hushes, from which concealment we inspected tlie strangers earnestly. The head man affirmed it must he a reo-iment of some hostile tribe, no doubt coming to attack our kraal, and upon this surmise, was just sending off a swift messenger to give the alarm at home, when one of our party, uttering a cry of joy, declared that the men before us were our own warriors returning from their expedition. After a few moments' inspection, this really proved to be the fact, whereupon we immediately quitted the hushes and advanced quickly towards them. I noted that, as the returning warriors rapidly forded the river, they raised the water in the palms of their hands to their lips, as if suffering from thirst, and I could not help asking a Kaffir near me if he thought there was any reason for this haste. " No douht," he said, " they are on a forced march, when the men are not permitted either to stop or leave the ranks ; though," he added, point- ing to some dead-looking logs, like tree- trunks, ^vhich lay here and there on the muddy banks of FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 191 the river, " tliey have good reason not to dally now. See- - eff- >codiles ! " I gave almost a leap at the sound. Yes ! those logs were indeed crocodiles, as I speedily was made aware, for, on our drawing near the river, several slipped into the river with a dull lazy splash. I rememher that at the sight I felt no small amount of satisfaction that / had not to ford the river ; for though they say if you walk straight forward, splashing the water as you go, these repulsive looking monsters dare not touch you, I had not tlie least desire to try the experiment. We found the warriors much attenuated, having suffered greatly from want of food; their hunger belts were drawn very tightly. These hunger-belts are made of leather, fastened several times round the body, and are gradually tightened over the stomach to stay the cravings of hunger. One or two " boys '* of the party had suffered so much from lack of provisions that they had actually gnawed their cow-hide shields. Such being the state of things, it may be imagined with what alacrity they fell upon' some koodoo flesh we had prepared; they did not stop eating until every scrap was consumed. lYe then all marched homewards. The war party said they 192 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS, expected to be well received ; for, beside the se vengeance they had taken upon the enemy, th had also brought away with them numerous heads of cattle, which they were ,well aware would be regarded with extreme satisfaction by Metilulu. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 103 CHAPTER XVI METILULU REVIEWS HIS TROOPS — I ASSIST AT A HO^.O BATTUE. As the warfare in which Metilulu's warriors had been engaged was looked upon as very successful, the chief ordered a review to take place on the ensuinor mornins:, when, as was customarv, those who had done brave deeds were to be rewarded, while those who, on the contrary, had proved them- selves unworthy of being ranked among soldiers, were to receive due punishment. This was the first review I had seen, strangers seldom being allowed to be present at them, but on account of my long sojourn in the kraal, during which I had indeed become almost as one of themselves, I was per- mitted to be a spectator. Just as in a British review of troops, all the warriors assembled, each taking his right position in the ranks, but here they did so in perfect silence, while each placed his large shield on the ground upright before liim, which only permitted the upper part of his dark body to be seen. Thus 194 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. they remained till it was Metilulu's pleasure to make his appearance, for it seems the etiquette of great people in KaiFraria, as well as in more civilized nations, to keep their inferiors wnitin;. The glaring sun was hlazing down all the time upon the poor fellows, but it was fully an hour before his corpulent majesty waddled upon the field, followea by his chief counsellor and servants bearing the ubiquitous beer -jar and snuff. One carried a shield, which on such occasions was converted into species of umbrella, to be held over the little man's head to shade him from the sun ; and Zenuta told me that woe would betide the bearer of it if he let a single beam rest upon the chief's black skin, such negligence being severely punished — even occasion- ally by death when the royal personage happened to be in a bad humour. Metilulu's chair having been placed in an ad- vantageous position, and his counsellors congregated about him. His Corpulency was so overcome with fatigue, owing to his unusual exertion, that he had to have recourse both to the beer and snuff to recruit his strength before commencing the review. Then, I suppose, feeling stronger, he ordered the cattle taken from the enemy to be marched before hJTn 'I'here wa-; a pretty considerable number, FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 195 and I watclied Metilulu's eyes twinkle with delight as he heheld them. Suddenly he pointed to one, then to another. Hardly had the sign heen made when a Kaffir sprang forward, and with unerring aim, pierced to the heart the animals indicated. Surprised at this summary destruction of the heloved cattle, I asked the reason of Tugela, who was standing by me, and learned that the^e were to feast Metilulu's guests, for after a fortunate expedition he always treated the warriors hand- somely. As the eyes of the remainder of the cattle rested upon their fallen companions, and their nostrils scented the blood, a panic seemed to seize them, for, lowing wildly, they dashed forward in all directions, and it was as much as their keepers could do to head them in, and get them all safely back to the isibaya. When this was over, the ceremony of pointing out the ama-doda and " boys " who had proved themselves worthy of their chief's approval, com- menced. This is a trying time for the regiment, but a proud one to those who are conscious they have fought well. Those " boys " who have done their best look eagerly forward to receive the title of ama-doda, and become the bearer of a white shield ; while those whose courage has failed them 196 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. in the liour of battle secretly tremble in their feathers at the possible, if not inevitable result. Stepping forward, the head warrior presented his report to Metilulu, who, on receiving it, uttered aloud the names of those worthy of praise. As each was pronounced, the assembled Kaffirs re- peated it at the top of their voices, while they indicated with outstretched arm the fortunate soldier. The latter, to my eyes, appeared to have gone frantic with joy ; for, with leaps only to be seen in Kaffraria or in a circus, he sprang from the ranks and commenced executing tbe most peculiar antics I had ever witnessed. His springs were wondrous. He kicked up his heels, ran, and jumped, all the time flourishing his assagais and shield in such a manner that I should have felt my head in danger had I been in close proximity to him. By this time three or four others had been specified, and were going through the same feats as the first — doing it with such a power and energy that the oil actually ran from their dark bodies in little streams. After having performed most of their military evolutions, wiih a bound the happy warriors leaped back into the ranks, and resumed their former ri:ild atiitudii Fifteen months among the kaffirs. 197 The scene was so eccentric tlicit it occasioned me much amusement, and had it ended here it would have heen well enough; but now, the brave having been rewarded, the cowards had to be punished. These were pointed out without any shouting, and, as each was named, instant execution followed, without a murmur on the victim's part. One who, I suppose, had either been a very great coward, or against whom the head warrior had a spite, was barbarously beaten to death by knob-kerries. The bodies of these, not being considered worthy of the rites of sepulture, were dragged into the bush, and left there to become the meals of hyenas and jackals, who speedily would leave nothing but the bones to whiten in the sun. This over, the paid minstrels of the tribes approached and sang their great chief's praises, using every title that had been given him during his life for any prowess, or names he had chosen for himself, — mostly those of animals. After which all the warriors defiled past Metilulu, each one as he went by bowing profoundly and lowering his shield and assagais to the ground. This completing the review the feast commenced. The successful issue of this raid upon his enemy had so good an effect upon Metilulu, that he pro- 198 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. posed a large slaughter of animals should take place, so as to make a grand feast — which meant every Kaffir was to have as much as he could eat, and, if the reader recollects the account I have already given of their capacity in that line, he will see that the quantity of provisions necessary to be provided would he great indeed. It must not he thought that this generous fit of Metilulu extended so far as to the slaughtering ot his own cattle for the occasion ; on the contrary, he meant the slaying of a good many head of game. To render this easy a large pit or ho'po was dug in the neighbourhood of a frequent resort of the animals we required ; from this diverged two strongly made fences, expanding one to the left the other to the right, till the farther extremities were nearly a mile apart. The above method of entrapping animals has, I am aware, been frequently described before, for it is a custom practised in many parts of Africa ; but having been an actor in this one myself, I should like here to recount it to my readers. Most of the kraal joined the hunters, for many were required, and when we drew near the spot, orders were given to disperse ourselves so as to enclose a large space of bush. This being per- Mv« X ^ :ii(^^^ •*«■: -1^ THE HOPO HUN'l FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 201 formed, by shouts and flourishes of our assaguis we began to beat up the game, and drive the startled animals who sprang forth before us in the direction of the hopo. Few creatures, as I believe I have remarked previously, will attack a party of men unless urged on by extreme hunger; thus even those of more ferocious nature than the eland or gemsbok flew before the shrieking Kaffirs, who appeared like so many fiends broken loose. Never shall I forget the scene that ensued ; the fleet eland, the gemsbok, tbe small graceful duiker bok, the gnoos, the zebras, and even here and there an elephant and a buff'alo, all in one bewildered herd fled on, in hope of safety, but, in fact, only hurry- ing to their sure destruction. Occasionally they would attempt to break the fences, but armed Kaffirs placed behind them would drive them back, The mouth of the hopo had been concealed by tree trunks and branches, so that the creatures never perceived the trap laid, till, owing to the velocity of their speed, their was no drawing back, and so with a plunge the first ranks disappeared, and the rest bounded upon the top of them. So when I reached the hojw I found it full of miserable, struggling, howling life, awful to see. ^egs, bodies, and heads were iu an inextricable mass, the pit being so 202 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. crammed that the remainder of the animals had used it as a path to pass over and escape again to the cover of the hush. Then into the heaving mass the hunters hegan to throw assagai after assagai, killing the uppermost, and leaving the under ones to he suffocated hy the hlood and weight, which speedily must have taken effect. When all had heen rendered harmless, one by one the slaughtered beasts were raised by the aid of poles, and with songs of rejoicing — for, having captured nearly forty head of game, the hopo was considered most successful — we returned to the kraal, where preparations for a grand cooking had been made. After the feasting had abated and much joila had been drunk, I saw one of the most extensive dances I had yet witnessed in Kaffraria. \\\ figure one dance resembled another, each dancer appearing to go through the performance according to his own taste and with the one idea to show as much energy and agility as he had in him. The dancing girls had porcupine quills or hard thorns from the mimosa stuck erect in their woolly hair, and about their waists a leather belt covered in every part with beads, which barely answered the purpose of an apron, while their necks, arms, FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 203 and legs were literally hidden by ornaments. They had apparently attired themselves in everything fine they could possibly procure, thus becoming a living sign of their wealthi. The heavy weight of these beads, bones, and shells must much incommode the dancers' movements, yet not one of them would think ot leaving a single ornament out of their toilette. The dance commenced by the girls first forming themselves into a circle. At first they were only accompanied by the sound of their own voices, then, after a while, the warriors started up, clashing their assat^ais on their shields. To create as horrible a hubbub as possible seems the Kaffir's particular delight. These joined in the figure, first whirling round in an outer circle, then closing in and mingling together, never at any time ceasing to keep up the accompaniment of their clashing shields and shrill voices. As usual, their antics grew exceedingly violent, and as the evening was remarkably warm, the perspiration and oil rolled in greasy drops down the dancers' faces, causing them some inconvenience, though each of the girls was provided with a long narrow piece of wood or bone, something similar to a blunt knife, with which she scraped the grease from her person whenever she felt it uncomfortable. 204 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. I tliouglit it was well, too, tliat the dances took place in the open air, and even then I was very glad to use \ny seaman's knowledge and keep to the windward of the performers. Zenuta had once been one of the best dancers in the tribe, but, perhaps owing to my words taking effect in her heart, she now absolutely refused to join, for which I was not sorry, as I took care to tell her afterwards, and received a proud, happy smile from the poor girl's eyes, for these dances do not conduce to the morality of the people, who seem to work themselves up to a perfectly mad frenzy, when they recognise no bounds to thoir desires. I had begun to pine for dear England and Eng- lish faces with a true home sickness, and looked forward to every succeeding hour, hoping it might brinir some chance to enable me to return. I could not forofet that at the same time I should be com - pelled to tell Zenuta that we must part for ever. It is true she had begged me to take her with me, saying she would never vex me, but work for me both night and day ; but whatever should I, Dick Galbraith, a poor seaman, do with a Kaflir girl in England ? 1 respected the affection she displayed too umch to havj her treated with indignity as she FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 205 mio'lit be in a strano^e and civilised land, and I could not have taken lier home, so in all ways I saw it was best and kindest to leave her with her tribe, feeling sure among them she would soon get reconciled to the separation, and, no doubt, quickly marry after I left, as I intended to give her all my cows and other effects. The sequel will prove, however, how little I knew the really determined nature Zenuta possessed. That in intellect and sensibility she was far in advance of her people I had speedily become aware ; but I never dreamed to what lengths her loving, humble devotion to one, who could only give her a friendly, pitying kindness in return, would carry her. 206 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. uHAPTER XVII. HOME THOUGHTS— THE DROUGHT AND THE RAIN-MAKER— I RECEIVE TERRIBLE NEWS. It was some time after the above that I sat just outside my hut, and was so extremely sad at heart that my pipe quite failed to solace me. I had now been nearly a year in KafFraria, and no doubt had long been supposed dead by my wife and friends, for the news of the wreck could not fail to have reached them by this time, accompanied no doubt by the sad intelligence that all the crew had perished. I pictured to myself my wife's despair on hearing it ; how her pretty face would be bathed in tears ; how she in her great sorrow, might earnestly pray for death, till recalled from the wife's grief by the mother's duties, she would clasp my children to her bosom, and, overcoming her heart-broken agony, resolve, if only for my sake, to live for them. My little house, with its small comfortable par- lour, all rose up clearly before me. There on the FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 207 wall hung the curiosities I had brought from distant parts to Kate, and which she dusted so carefully every morning, while on the mantelpiece stood the old clock, with its wooden case as black as ebony, supported right and left by a China shepherd and shepherdess, which were supported in their turn by little China vases containing spills in readiness for me to light my pipe. I seemed to see myself, only too clearly, sitting on one side of the pleasant fire- grate, a glass of grog at my right hand, and Katie busily darning or mending the family linen opposite, chatting of village gossip — how Dan, the fisherman, had nearly been capsized in the last squall ; or what a great haul he had had, which had put him into such a good humour that he hail actually bought his missus a new gown ; or, when not talk- ing, listening so attentively to my yarns respecting the places I had visited and the people I had seen. Strange stories enough I should have to tell her this time ! The vision was too vivid and a great lump rose in my throat and a deep sigh escaped my lips as I remembered how long it would be before I should smoke my pipe, if I really ever did again, in that comfortable, snug little parlour, with the smell of the briny sea in the air, and Katie by my side, 208 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. while the children slumbered overhead, rocked to sleep, as their father had been before them, by the soothing lullaby of the ocean. Such thoughts were not very conducive to a philosophic and comfortable view of my present lot, and I felt in a very desponding mood, when, happening suddenly to raise my eyes, I became aware that Zenuta, carrying a gourd of corn she had been crushing, was standing motionless some little distance off, and gazing steadfastly and sadly upon me. I somehow felt an unwillingness to meet her glance, so, lowering my eyes, appeared to be busy refilling my pipe. But what woman in the world, even including Kaffirland, will be put off if they have anything to say ? Thus a moment later, Zenuta had approached me and phiced her gourd upon the ground : then sitting down she said plaintively, " You are thinking of your home far away, Galbrth. You are thinking of your wife.'* I could not, nor did I wish to deny it, so I said, "Yes, Zenuta, I am. It is very sad to be separated from all those whom I have loved, and who have loved me from childhood. Fancy how you would feel it." " / would oro anvwhere with you. I would leave FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 209 all," rejoined the girl earnestly, as she looked into my face. " My dear Zenuta," I said, " you must not speak thus for my sake. You do not know what our land is compared to yours — how different it is: you would be unhappy there.'* " Have you not told me,'* she answered quickly, "that it is a better land — that its people know more ; that they are kinder ? " " Yes, truly, they are all this ; but, Zenuta, you would be a stranger among them — strange to their customs, strange to their language." " So were you when you came here," she inter- rupted, "yet we were kind to you. You have become a hunter — almost one of us." I could not deny this, and warmly confessed that I had been most hospitably treated ; " and yet," I had it on my lips to say, " I am not happy, Zenuta, and neither would you be were you in England ; " but as I looked into the poor girl's eager, earnest eyes, I had not the heart to make the speech, and she continued most touchingly — • " Besides, I should not be alone, Galbrth ; you uould still be kind to me, would you not ? And your wife, too, I would like her for your sake." ? 210 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. I do not mind owning that tears dimmed my eyes as Zenuta spoke, and, with some emotion, I pressed her hand, saying — *'You are a good, affectionate girl, Zenuta, and, helieve me, I will ever he a friend to you." They were simple words, and not much, consider- ing the deep love she hestowed in return ; yet tliey iiiight have heen the most affectionate expressions lover ever uttered when one saw the light of joy which quickly lit up her eyes and whole face. Suddenly seizing my hand, she raised it to her lips and kissed it passionately ; after which, getting up without nnother word, she entered the hut with the crushed coin for my dinner. I have forgotten to say that I once detected Zenuta in administering a love powder to me, in order that she might thus obtain the affection she could not get otherwise ; and it was with some difficulty, havinor even to resort to assumed anoer, that I prevented her continuing this unpleasant practice. I had no desire to swallow mysterious compounds concocted by a Kaffir witch-doctor. Afterwards I V)ok an early opportunity to reason with her upon this foolish superstition, I fancy with some success, for, either through my arguments or fear of ray anger, she never, to the best of my FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 211 belief, had recourse to the charms again. I had reason to imagine, however, that she communicated my opinion respecting these superstitions to the witch-doctor himself, thereby making me a most dangerous enemy, and the time was drawing near when this was to be most disagreeably proved. Zenuta had scarcely left me when, not feeling disposed to resume my former reverie, I got up to take a stroll through the kraal. There had been few hunting parties lately, owing to the necessity of driving the cattle every day a great distance to obtain water, as for some time past the neighbour- hood of our dwelling had been suffering from drought — a terrible affair to both natives and cattle. No sooner do the signs show than the dread of famine immediately seizes the people, and not without reason, for owing to the pasturage being quickly scorched up by the fierce rays of the tropical sun, many cows perish; consequently the milk — the staff of life to the Kaffir — considerably fails in quantity. Both men and women are in horror, for first the rivers begin to dry, and then the wells and springs follow suit. Such had been the state of things for some time with us, and Metilulu at last had recourse to the power of the prophets, or rain-makers ; for they 212 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. fully believed that these men are capable of bringing the rain, of which they are in such dire need. "* There is little doubt that these rain-makers can read the nature of the clouds even better than the majority of the people, though all understand it pretty well, as most tribes do who live in a wild state and are much in the open air. The longer they perceive the drought will last the more difficult or im- possible are the charms required of their devotees. This course keeps up belief in their power, which would otherwise be severely shaken. Some of these rain-makers were evidently imposed upon by their own ceremonies, whilst others were complete impostors. For the last few days the rain-maker*s lank, skeleton-like figure clothed in an attire something similar to the witch-doctor could be seen on the top of a high hill, beckoning to the clouds, which did not come. Sheep, goats, and other animals, had been sacrificed, but to no effect ; the blue sky remained perfectly clear, and the sun, like a glowing furnace, shot liis beams, of a white-heat intensity, down upon the parched land. Owing to what I have stated above, the whole tribe was extremely downcast, while the cattle perished daily. Famine seemed inevitable. There FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 213 yet was one more chance. The rain -maker had declared the next morning he would mention what he would require for another sacrifice, and this time he knew that he should succeed : the clouds would no longer he ahle to resist his power, hut, on the contrary, w^ould pour their sweet supply of refresh- ing life upon the earth, bringing pasturage and plenty to the tribe. What the prophet required proved to be the hearts of three koodoos, cut from the animals while alive. I felt extremely disgusted and indignant at this cruel and absurd request, but I was yet to to learn that these men could ask wilder things than this, and get them speedily obeyed by the miserable, ignorant people over whom they exert such arbitrary power. The ceremony of obtaining the koodoos' hearts had taken place three days before my talk with Zenuta, yet no rain had fallen, nor did there seem the least likelihood of its coming, as far as my nautical knowledge went. I had made no inquiry that day respecting the rain-maker's prophecy, nor whether he had made any other requests, as his last had so signally failed ; indeed, I took but little interest in the imposter, and my brain being still occupied by those home thoughts, which I could 214 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. not banish, I wandered indifferently about the kraal. Once or twice, however, I could not help fancying that several of the Kaffirs looked upon me in a strange manner, while others at my approach, dropping quickly on their knees, crept into their huts as if to avoid a meeting. I was much too preoccupied at the time to pay any attention to these signs, and having made the circuit of the kraal, came once more in sight of my own dwelling. As I did so I perceived Tugela abruptly issue from it, spring into an erect position, and hurry off. Not having seen him all day, I hastened after to overtake him, but his speed being greater than mine, he soon distanced me, so giving the chase up, I entered my home with a very good appetite for my dinner. Seeing that the meal was ready, I sat down to it at once, and had somewhat allayed my hunger when, with a sudden cry, Zenuta cast herself beside me, in an agony of grief, for tears were rolling down her cheeks. In much concern I raised her from her kneeling position, and asked the cause of her emotion. For a few moments, however, sobs checked her utterance : then she let fall several brief, disconnected sentences, which made me sure that some imminent danger was threatening me. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 215 So convinced was I of this, that I immediately urged her by every reason, even for the sake of the love she bore me, to calm herself and speak more clearly. My words soon had some effect, and sobbing as if her heart would break, she said how she had just learned from Tugela — what it now seemed the whole kraal had known some hours before — that the rain-maker, in an interview with Metilulu, hau declared that the drought was entirely caused by the white man who was among them, whose disbelief in his (the prophet's) power had also made his charms fail, and never would they succeed and rain come till the Englishman had been removed, removal meaning death. No one but those who had witnessed the bar- barous cruelty and ignorance of these people, combined with their utter disreojard of the sufferinv .*i4 Flf 1E£> MuMUS AMO.NG THE KAFFIRS. As it was, however, plenteous and refreshing rains fell that day ; the rivers again began to flow, and the springs and wells to fill — all ot which had an effect wonderful to behold upon the natives. They danced, they shouted, they sang, and fairly embraced each other and their dear cattle, the destruction of their kraal appearing to sink into quite a minor affair. Metilulu, a brave little fallow, despite his obesity, was far from regarding it in this light. Before the day was out, he had called his chief warriors together, to arrange with them how and when to take dire vengeance upon his enemy. Not one of the tribe was loth to do this ; therefore, it was determined that, directly they could erect a kraal sufficiently large to keep the cattle and women in safety, the whole body of kaffirs, leaving only enough behind to protect the women and cows, with Metilulu himself at their head should depart for the dwellings of the enemy, upon whom they swore to have a terrible retribution. Consequently three days after, when an isibaya had been hurriedly constructed for the cattle, and huts for the females, children, and those who were to remain as their guards, the war party set out, I among their number, by permission of the chief, who now seemed ready to grant anything I desired FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 235 — a willingness on his Majesty's part which I hoped soon to put to a ^reat test, by stating my earnest desire to return to my own people and land. We set forth after sun-down, so as to reach the enemy's quarters in the middle of the night, which we succeeded in doing, foi* after having marched for nearly four hours, we came abruptly on the kraal, which lay just at the foot of a steep incline. All was silent and still. I think it need not be stated that I had no inten- tion to play any part in the affair about to take place, for the men I was with were acting no better than had those who had attacked them, while from experience I knew they could be quite as cruel. But aware that my presence or absence could do neither harm nor good, I had really come in the hope of gaining still further Metilulu s friendship, so that he might the more readily grant my request to be passed on to a white settlement. Falling back, therefore, to the rear as the Kaffirs advanced, I manoeuvred so as to remain in the shadow of the bush while they went on. In the kraal before me there was, unfortunately, no wake- ful eye to warn the sleepers of their danger, and the Kaffirs, approaching silently with the stealthy tread of a cat, had even scaled the fences before a sounc 236 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. was heard. Then the dogs began to bark and the cows to low, for in Kaffraria cattle can at times be made to serve in place of the watchful canine animals themselves ; but, before their masters could be aroused by the warning, they were startled into consciousness of their peril by their huts being pierced by the assagais of the enemy, whose loud yells of triumph rang awfully through the still air. A terrible scene ensued — warriors who had had only time to seize their weapons issued forth but to be slaughtered, while women and children mostly shared the same fate. Some of the fragile huts were crushed down altogether — the inmates under them — into which heap's the enemy frequently thrust their spears to destroy the miserable beings beneath. I waited impatiently for an end to this frightful scene of bloodshed, and each moment expected to see the cattle drawn out to a place of safety and the kraal set on fire as ours had been ; but there ap- peared no signs of this. Owing to the unfairness of the fight, it speedily began to subside ; yet the cattle remained in the isibaya. Had the enemy been exterminated, or had they yielded ? I waited a little longer, then b^ame certain that one or other was the case, for the fight seemed over, FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 21)7 while Metilulu's regiment were already forming into order. Consequently, thinking that I could not do better than rejoin them, I hastened from the bush and entered the kraal. It presented a horrible sight to one who, like myself, was unused to bloodshed and battle- fields, though no doubt it was not so ghastly as that presented by one of our civilized engagements ; lor here were no shattered limbs, no torn gaping wounds, no headless trunks, and bodies rent in twain by cannon shot. The assagai, or, occasionally, the the knob-kerrie, had alone been used ; and strewn over the ground were the dead forms of the Kaffirs, the spears which had caused their deaths yet remaining buried deep up the shaft in the victims, the victors not having had time to collect them. In some parts, where the fight had been the thickest, they lay in heaps ; yet, with but few exceptions, the positions of all retained a look of graceful, easy repose. But this did not weigh much in the balance against the thought that all these stark bodies had but an hour before been full of healthful life. It was a sickeninoj sidit to behold. On going a little further I perceived Metilulu standing in the isibaya, inspecting the numbering of the cattle with some of his men, while others were forming the survivors into their proper regiments, 238 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. to discover wliicli of the tribe had fallen. Having no wish to join either I strolled on, wondering in my mind as to what they intended to do with the slain, for to leave them where they were under the tropical sun of a single day w^ould render the spot unbearable and, in fact, pestilential. Just at this moment I chanced to come across Tugela, bearing a message from Metilulu to one of his warriors, and, as I was going his way, I asked him with some curiosity how the fight had termin- ated. " All those who have not been slain," he said, "have finally yielded and consented to submit to Metilulu, accepting him for their chief. As the kraal is ready for immediate occupation, and stands in a much better situation regarding vegetation and water than our old place, the chief has issued orders for all the huts to be taken care of, as he intends at once to make the place his own abode, while the vanquished are to be allowed to build themselves a kraal a little distance off." •* But what will you do with these heaps of slain ?" I asked. " If they remain here long the air will be full of pestilential vapours." " Those who like to bury their friends have per- mission to do so," rejoined TugelU, " the others will FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 239 be dragged far into the bush for the wild beasts to devour, or thrown into the rivers for the crocodiles. We never bury them as you English do." He then hurried on with his message, and, even as he went, I perceived numerous parties of " boys " removing the fallen men for the purpose Tugela had stated. Whether they ascertained if all they took were really dead, particularly when the bodies were those of the enemy, I cannot tell, but I rather think not. On being once more alone I continued my walk and had the satisfaction of relieving from under the debris of a fallen hut a poor woman with an assagai wound in her side, who immediately, with much chattering, scurried off to the bush, clasping a baby in her arms, and leaving me no time to tell her that she would be quite safe if she liked to remain at the kraal. It was soon after this that I came to a second demolished dwelling, from whence I fancied there issued murmurinor sounds of life. Thinking I miofht be so fortunate as to rescue another unfortunate being, I listened attentively. A slight upheaving of the rubbish soon convinced me that some person was beneath ; whereupon I set to work as fast as I could to clear away the heap so as to make an 240 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. opening, all the while assuring those inside that there was no cause for fear, the figlit was over, and peace concluded. I had nearly effected my purpose, when suddenly a grizzled head was thrust up into the moonlight through the side of the hut, which looked like a ruined hencoop. After glancing quickly round, the possessor of the head exclaimed, to my utter amazement, " Well, jib-hooms and top -sails, but this is a queer scene, this is." I reeled back mute with astonishment at the words, which fixed the apparition's attention upon me, and he continued, *' Well, you black nigger, how long are you going to stand there ? Why don't you help a fellow out, instead of jabbering your confounded lingo, which I don't understand a word of, though I've heerd nothin' else for nigh a year, and what's more, I ivont understand it if I stay another; for it's the devil's own tongue itself, that it are." By this time I had recovered myself, and, dash- ing forward, tore away the remains of the ruins ; then, as the occupant of the hut started up, I threw myself on his neck overcome with emotion. '' Now, I say, you nigger, what are you up to ? '* he exclaimed. " Oh, Thompson ! Dear old Jack ! My old, old '■% THE R1>APPEARANCE OF THOMPSON. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 243 companion," I cried, while actual tears rolled from my eyes, "don't you know me — me, Dick Galbraith? ** " Dick Galbraith ! and alive ! By the Lord, is it possible ? but how — how could I know you, dear Dick, my boy, with your face like a nigger's, and rigged out in those queer togs ? Oh, lor ! I'm glad of this indeed," exclaimed the old fellow, laughing and crying at the same time as he hugged me and I hugged him, while both of us sobbed like very child- ren for joy at once more looking into the face of a white man — and a friend. 244 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER XX. WE GO IN SEARCH OF MR. FERGUSON — METILULU*S RECEPTION OF MY FRIENDS — THEIR STORY. No one but those who have lived nearly twelve months with a savage tribe can at all imagine the joy I experienced at once more looking upon the face of a white man and a fellow-countryman. It was some minutes even before I could speak my delight, my voice being stiffled by rising sobs, while Jack was no better than myself. When, however, we at last drew a few paces off to again look upon each other, I could not help bursting into a laugh as I beheld my companion and recalled his complimentary remarks respecting my personal appearance, for he was as eccentrically attired as myself. His skin, already bronzed by many years at sea, had become nearly of a true Kaffir hue, while liis fur clothing very much resembled a herald's tabard, only it was longer at the knee, not so high at the throat, and was joined at each side; from this garment emerged his brown FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 245 muscular bare legs and arms, while it was sur- mounted by his weather-beaten face, topped by grizzled hair, and covered half-way up by a large, unkempt, iron-grey beard. " Well, Jack," I exclaimed, my own language sounding strangely in my ears, " 'pon my life I don't see what you had to laugh at in me, for your toggery is no better." " No, my stars, it ain't ; but who'd ever have believed to have seen another Christian dressed out like myself? But it's ail compulsion, Dick — it's all compulsion ; and if heaven wills it to be so, as the young minister says, I oughtn't to have any objection." '' Ah," I exclaimed, quickly ; " where is Mr. Ferguson ? I had forgotten him in the excitement of our meeting. Is he safe ? You can't tell, Jack, how often I have thought, during the last twelve months, about his words, even to trying a little bit of his business myself." '' What ! preachifying ? You don't mean to say you've turned missionary ? " *'Not quite," I laughed; "but any man with religion in his heart would try to do some good among these benighted people. But where is Mr. Ferguson — I am so anxious to see him ; where did 246 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. you leave him ? Remember you have always had a companion to talk to, while I have been alone/' "" True, Dick, true," responded Thompson, again affectionately wringing my hand. " Come along ; I'll lead you to his hut. I hope he has got safely throuoh this terrible night. Great guns, I am pleased to see you again. How did those black fiends manage to surprise us ? " " About the same way," I said, " that the tribe you are with would have managed it the other night if I had not seen them coming. But do come along and I'll tell all about that afterwards, for I want to know if Mr. Ferguson is safe : you cannot imagine how I have grown to like him." "Yes, I can, for I feel the same, Dick; that young missionary can do what he likes with me, else I think I should have long ago given some of these black fellows such a drubbing that I shouldn't have been permitted to live many minutes after- wards. I should have sought him out directly I got rid of the ruins of the hut, had it not been for my joy at seeing you." Thompson now moved quickly on, and proceeded to a small hut a little way off, which he entered, but instantly re-appeared, his face indicating much alarm — for he had found the place empty. Fifteen Months among the Kafeius. 247 " I can't tell where he's gone," he said, ** but he's not there. We must try to find him. If none of those bloodthirsty fiends you brought — " "/brought, Jack!" " Well, who brought you ; if they haven't hurt him, none of our tribe would, I am sure, for they respect him too much." We now searched anxiously among the slain for the young minister, whom it appeared even the Kaffirs had liked, and no one can tell with what relief we passed from heap to heap and fiiiled to find him among the dead. We had proceeded some little way outside the kraal, our search as yet in vain, when with a cry Jack hurried forward towards the figure of a man kneeling by the side of another either dying or dead. We had found Mr. Ferguson at last, and, like a true soldier of Heaven as he was, at his post. At Thompson's approach, he rose, and greetedhis friend. " Ah, Jack," he exclaimed, joyfully ; '' thank heaven you are safe. I was about to seek you, when — " " Never mind me, sir. please now," interrupted Thompson excitedly, *' for Fve brought an old friend to see you — one you will rejoice as much to look upon as he rejoices to look upon you, sir." 248 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG tHE KAFFIRS. "J. friend ! Thompson — and here? " "Yes, here, sir, if you can reckernise in this noble Kaffir warrior, with his shield and assagais, our old mate in trouble — Dick Galbraith ! '* " Dick Galbraith here ! alive ? " exclaimed Mr. Ferguson. " Now, heaven be praised indeed, for this is good news. I am indeed delighted to see you ; the thought of what your fate might have been has caused me many cheerless days." I seized his extended hand tremulously, but that greeting was too cold, and he too embraced me as a Frenchman mio^ht have embraced his brother. I need not recapitulate the sundry questions we put to each other . they surely may be easily imagined. Suffice it to say that we kept on talking till we were interrupted by the approach of Tugela, who by Meti- lulu's orders, had come to find out where I had got to. He looked with great surprise at seeing us three together, clothed very nearly alike, only the minister's complexion was much fairer, and stared yet more at hearing us all talking the same language. I had already told him about my lost companions, so that a few words were sufficient to explain the present state of affairs, and I frankly asked him the best way for me to act respecting them and Metilulu ? FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 24'J He advised me to take mj friends to the chief at once, and tell him everything ; how we had been separated, and how we had again met. He also assured us that we need have little fear, for Meti- lulu leaned much towards white men when they, on their part, showed a disposition to be friendly. " But," he added, " let alone this, he will no doubt treat your two friends hospitably for your sake, as he feels really grateful for the service you so lately rendered the tribe. You could not approach him at a better time, as Metilulu is in the best of humours owing to his success, and is regaling himself with copious draughts of beer and supplies of snufF." I hope I have shown, as I have desired to, that Tugela's stay in the English settlements had improved his ideas, and caused him not to be blind to some of the peculiar manners of his tribe, though he yet preferred living among them to dwelling with white men. My two companions accepted Tugela's view of the case and we all set out at once for the isibaya where Metilulu still remained. He was now seated, with some of his warriors in attendance and a jar of the enemy's beer in close proximity to his hand. As I approached slightly in advance of the others, he bade me come and sit near him, as he desired to 250 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG TtlE KAFFIRS. know my opinion upon the style of revenge lie had that night taken upon the hostile trihe. Making a low inclination, I replied that I thought it as terrihle and as complete as only such a power- ful and skilful chief as he could have accomplished ; then added, that even as it had brought desolation on his enemies, it had brought the greatest happi- ness to me, his friend, not only at having seen him victorious, but because it had also enabled me to find two dear companions who had been wrecked in the same ship that I had been, and washed on to the same shore, but through circumstances I would explain to him, had been separated from me just before I had fallen so fortunately into his hands. He listened very attentively : then in the most friendly manner bade us all three sit down, and inform him at once how we had been divided. Instantly obeying, I soon ran through my account, when I turned to Mr. Ferguson, who could speak the language even better than I, and requested him to relate to the chief what had been his and Thomp- son's fate after I had quitted them with Metilulu's soldier's. Clearly and in a manner that proved he had well studied the best method to address and win the confidence of these people, he recounted their story FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 251 to Metilulu, which I will give briefly as follows : — On hearing the yells above them, Mr. Ferguson guessed that I must be surrounded by natives and instantly endeavoured to get out and hasten to my help. For this purpose he had made Thompson kneel on hands and knees ; then standin^^ upon his shoulders, had nearly grasped the top of the pit, when Jack, weak from pain and exertion, sank down, causing Mr. Ferguson to fall heavily to the ground. Recovering himself a few moments after, he had with much difficulty succeeded in clambering out ; but then he found the place deserted, for, as it may be remembered, I had been instantly wounded by a spear and at once marched off to the kraal. He was about to pursue and assist me if possible, when a moan of pain from Thompson reached him, which reminded him of the poor fellow's helpless condition. It is not an enviable thing to lie wounded and insensible at the bottom of a giraffe trap. Therefore, wisely considering that against so large a body of men, as by their yells he knew them to be, he could at the present moment do nothing which would be of service to me, he determined to remain with the one he could aid Running to the bush, for he no longer cared about being seen, he procured some strong monkey 252 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. ropes, then returning, dropped once more into the pit. There he fastened them as well as he could round Thompson, who had now recovered his senses, climbed out again, and, Jack helping himself as well as he was able with his hands, managed to draw him out. When this was done, they had perforce to sit down for some time, in order that Thompson might recover himself, commenting sadly upon what they thought my misfortune. Afterwards they started off, if possible to track me ; but this they failed to do, and at dawn were again compelled to hide in the bush. There they wandered about till nearly the close of the day, when they were startled by perceiving the dark face of a Kaffir carefully inspect- ing their movements from among the trees. On observing that he was seen, he disappeared, apparently as frightened of them as they were of him ; where- upon they had hurried off in a contrary direction. However, in less than ten minutes, the Kaffir yells were again ringing in their ears, and almost at the same instant they found themselves surrounded by some twenty or thirty of the natives, armed with assagais. Seeing it was useless to resist, Mr. Ferguson with difficulty restrained Jack's fierce British ebullition FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 253 of defiance and rage, advising him to follow his example and quietly surrender himself, as by that means they mi^ht win kindness instead of ill-treat- ment from their assailants. " And," added the minister, when he had come to this part, bowing respectfully to Metilulu, " in that we were not deceived, for the tribe which you, most noble chief, have just conquered, treated us most hospitably, and we have lived in peace among them up to this moment.'* I had noticed that, owing to fatigue, or perliaps joila, Metilulu had become exceedingly drowsy towards the end of the minister's story. He roused up, however, at the close, and, catching the woi'ds respecting the tribe's hospitality, said that they also should receive the same from his hands, as he liked white men much when they did not wish to be his enemies, but friends, like Galbratha, indicating me ; then, growing silent, Metilulu partly averted his head. Taking this for a form of dismissal^ we rose, made our obeisances, and, having asked his per- mission to retire, withdrew to a quiet secluded part of the kraal, where, wrapping our karosses around us, we laid ourselves down, first to have a chat and then to sleep, I need not recount Mr. Ferguson and Thompson's 254 FIFTEBN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. history while in the Kaffir kraal, for it was much the same as my own, only the minister had never ceaj^ed to fulfil his duties, working so untiringly, and with such success, that Jack— gruff and most British in his contempt of the natives — had often owed his safety to the missionary's influence with them. Our lives differed also in the fact that Kahela, the chief of their tribe, had not desired them to take unto themselves wives, neither had a Kaffir ffirl done either of them the honour of fallinof in love with their white faces. m *W KFVIKW OK THK TROOl'S AFTER THF. VIC'IOKN. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 257 CHAPTER XXI. STAYING A KAFFIR EXECUTION — I ASK METILULU'S PER- MISSION TO LEAVE — THE BOOMSLANGE — THE CHIEF'S ANSWER. As may be easily conceived, we had so many little incidents to relate and notes to compare that our talk carried us far into the night ; yet we were up nearly as early as any in the kraal the next morn- ing, and gladly fell to upon some biltongue and amasi which had been found in the huts; then, hearing that Metilulu was inspecting his regiments, we thought it but politeness to be present. On arrivino' at the place, however, the review had nearly finished, the brave had been rewarded, and only the unworthy remained to be punished. Of the latter it happened that there was but one, and he had not been guilty of cowardice, but of a crime punishable by death in Kaffraria. The criminial was one of the finest specimens of the race I had ever seen, being tall, exquisitely formed, graceful, and even majestic. Silently he knelt before Metilulu, his head bent submissively. 258 FIFTl-EN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. awaiting the sentence. From a little distance, but within hearing range, we stood to learn what that would be. It came very speedily : the prisoner had already pleaded guilty, and the verdict was that he should be cast alive to the crocodiles, who gnashed their terrible jaws on the river banks not far olF, app.irently conscious of the prey destined for them. Scarcely had the sentence been uttered, and the Kaffir arisen without a murmur, when Mr. Ferguson, suddenly quitting my side, walked erect and un- hesitatingly up to Metilulu. Guessing his intent, I hurried after him, beseeching hot-brained Jack to remain where he was. On drawing near I found I was correct in my surmise. The young missionary was pleading the prisoner's cause in earnest, eloquent terms, and praying for a commutation of the sentence. Metilulu looked and listened in silent astonish- ment; but, as I anxiously marked his features, I fancied they gradually assumed a pleased, friendly Expression, quite the reverse of anger at being interfered with. As I came up Mr. Ferguson was saying — " You, Metilulu the great ! — you, the recognized mighty chief of the numerous tribes dwelling in this vast and beautiful land of Kaffraria — has not FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 259 your victory been complete ? Has not but a few hours back triumph been given you over those who but lately would have made you captive ? Why, then, should one so favoured stain the day of rejoic- ing by condemning to a horrible death, for a slight offence, one of those warriors to whose braverv, to whose devotion, he partly owes that triumph? Truly you are strong, you are courageous, but one arm aloue could not have crushed the tribe of Kabela. You had need of warriors, and you found them brave, willing, and submissive. Surely, then, noble Metilulu, you will let your hand dispense mercy as well as justice. This is no time to speak, of the power of the Rewarder of all great deeds, but every grand soul must recognize the mighty power of mercy, and surely you will forgive this man in honour of the day of victory, if for nothinty else." Mr. Ferguson ceased and stood in a respectful manner awaiting a reply. Thinking my turn had come to put in a word for the poor fellow, I hurried forward, and kneeling according to Kaffir custom, said — " Noble Metilulu, let me add my prayers to those of my friend for this unfortunate warrior. Let him be spared ; extend your hand in mercy towards him. 260 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. It IS the white men who heseech your clemency ; for their sakes grant it." Metilulu was silent for a moment ; then replied. ** You white men are a strange people, yet I have listened to your words with pleasure ; you are soft- hearted, but you are friends to the Kaffir. " Uma- tula," he added, turning to the warrior, '-I reverse your sentence — you may live. These my friends have interceded for you ; thank them, not me, as it is because of them that I pardon you. Live, and show by future deeds your sorrow for your past crime." His dusky face beaming with delight, TJmatula bowed low till his forehead touched the ground before Metilulu. This was repeated before us; then, starting up, he proudly grasped his shield and assagais, exclaiming, that to show his gratitude for the chief's gracious pardon, no warrior in Metilulu's regiments should ever outrival him in warlike deeds, while he reckoned his life to belong to the noble- hearted white ones. They had but to ask him for it, and it was theirs to do with it as they would This over, Metilulu, dismissed the troops, bade us sit down, evidently being inclined for a chat. I was no little pleased that it should be so, for during our long talk the previous night it had been 'li^<\:€,M.ll / MtilLULU PARDONS A WARRIOR. FXJ'TEEN MONTHS AMONG tilE KAFFIRS. 268 arranged that I should try to obtain leave for my- self and Thompson to make our way to a white settlement, which Mr. Ferguson said he knew was not very far off, and might be easily attained with a native guide. Both Jack and I had earnestly besought the minister to accompany us, but he firmly refused, saying he believed Providence had had a purpose in casting him on that shore, where he had already found that his words had not fallen entirely on stony places. lie should be but a poor soldier of Heaven, indeed, were he to leave so fair and promising a work uncompleted. It appeared that no moment could have been more opportune than that I had chosen to speak about my departure, for the chief was in the most obliging of humours. After a long talk respecting Kaffir affairs, I managed, by Mr. Ferguson's aid, to bring the subject round to our own land and my strono: desire to visit it. statinsj how I had heard from my friends that a white settlement was not far off and ending by requesting him to grant me a guide and his royal permission to return. Oppor- tune, I repeat, as the moment was, his face grew grave and my heart sunk. Neither, however, refusing nor acquiescing, he asked why it was I could not be happy there. To 264 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. which I answered, that all who were dear to me, all who made life worth living in my eyes, were in England, and my heart was pining for them. Indeed, I felt I could not exist, hut must die, I continued, if kept longer in uncertainty of their fate. I spoke as eloquently as I could, and Mr. Ferguson also did what he was ahle, hut Metilulu seemed in no way ready to grant the request. He said he liked me, that he had proved this even more than I knew — of course he referred to the rain- maker's evil prophecy — and he thought I was so happy that I would never have wished to leave the trihe. In return to this really kind speech, I warmly acknowledged the extreme kindness and hospitality w^hich had been shown me, adding how great would be my pride w^hen in England, if he would permit me to return there, to recount to my countrymen his noble behaviour to a poor shipwrecked sailor. This appeared rather to please him, and after a pause he said, " Then you all wish to leave me ? " *^ Not so," broke in Mr. Ferguson, " if you will grant me permission, I would desire yet to remain with your tribe/' FIFTEEN MOMTIIS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 265 Metilulu, who had, I fancied, already taken a liking to the minister, as he frequently addressed himself to him, nodded approval; then saying he could not give his decision at that moment, he gave us permission to withdraw, appearing no longer desirous to continue a conversation which had taken so unpleasant a turn. I could not help feeling rather flattered hy the decided aversion Metilulu showed to part with me, and yet also I was grieved at causing him any regret,- after the real friendship and generosity I had experienced at his hands, and tried to show these feelings as plainly as I could, both in speech and expression, when I arose with Mr. Ferguson and Thompson to take our leave. On retiring, instead of returning to the kraal, we went towards the bush, and there, under the shadow of the trees, sat down to talk of our own affairs, and to consider what answer Metilulu was likely to give. Mr. Ferguson said he believed it would be in the affirmative, though the chief did not like my going. " If it be so," I rejoined, *' how would you counsel us to proceed? *' " Why, to make your way as fast as yott can to the white settlement ; then to the coast — to Cape 26G FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE IvAFFlRS. Town if possible, for there you have more chance of getting a ship back to Enghmd." *' Ah ! a ship, bless her," broke in Thompson, *' When I feel the deck once more beneath my feet, and the sniff of the briny in my nose, then I shall begin to feel once more like a Christian, especially if I can get another suit of togs in place of these outlandish garments." "It was of those I meant to speak," I said. ** How can we chano^e them without a farthinor in our pockets ? *' " I believe I can aid you there," rejoined Mr. Ferguson. " I think you will pass through a settlement just about where the Bechuana tribes are located, where a kind of missionary station is established— if so, I know you can obtain both help and clothes there. I will give you a message in any case, for I would also like them to send me on some articles, with \vhich I may be able to win my way and instruct these people, for even in heavenly matters we must sometimes call in the aid of earth to touch the hearts of man, and especially these savages." We had been chatting thus respecting our pro- ceedings for some little while, the interchange of thought with civilized humanity being far too FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 267 agreeable for any one of us to bring it to a close, when, uttering a sharp cry, 1 sprang erect and seized my knob-kerrie. ** What on earth's the matter ? " exclaimed Jack, following my example ; while Mr. Ferguson also rose to his feet. *' See," I exclaimed ; " look along that branch there -just above your head — don't you see — an olive coloured snake. If there be one thing," I continued, when at a safe distance, '' that I have a downright horror of, it is a snake, so pray let us leave the reptile to itself, for l am not sure enough with my knob-kerrie to knock it over." "Don't hurry," said Mr. Ferguson, placing his hand upon my shoulder ; ** there is no fear, Dick." " No fear ! '' I ejaculated in surprise. " Why, the natives affirm that sort of snake is very poisonous ! " " Then, Dick, they are wrong," he answered quietly. "The posterior teeth certainly resemble fangs, but they are perfectly harmless, and are merely used to seize their prey. Yes," he added, after a closer inspection, "it is the Bucephalus Capensis. or, as these people call it, the Boomslange. It is generally found upon trees, where it goes in search of food. Here, draw back a little wav and 268 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. watch; you may perhaps see a proof of that fascination which has so often been spoken about." As he spoke our attention was attracted by the pici'cing cries of several birds which were flying about the tree in abject terror, while the Boomslange coiled about the branch, its head raised about ten inches, its mouth open, its throat inflated, fixed its full large eyes upon the poor little trembling victims. Fascinated ourselves by the sight, we anxiously watched the result. Round and round the poor flutterers went, each time, I perceived, drawing nearer the cruel mouth, till I shuddered as one, with a sweep, almost touched the reptile's lips. The next moment, drawn by that wonderful and inexplicable fascina- tion, it was in its terrible jaws ; and, unable to bear it longer, I let fly my knob-kerrie, striking the snake from the tree, but I did not hurt him much, for, with the speed of light, he had wriggled into the bush, carrying its miserable prey in its mouth. ^ The sight made us loth to sit down near the spot again, so we returned to the kraal, Mr. Ferguson telling us on the way, that a few days back, he, with a party of Kaffirs, had come across a python ; but the natives would not touch it, owing to a superstition that misfortune would be sure to over- FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 269 take anyone who injured these monstrous reptiles. On reaching the huts, we found the Kaffirs busily enga2;ed in restoring the ruined ones, so we lent them our aid, and thus managed to win their favour and while away the time, which, owing to my anxiety respecting Metilulus answer, I found hang heavily on my hands. At the dinner hour, however, we went to the minister's hut, which he was allowed he retain and after taking some refresh- ment, we continued our interrupted talk. It was quite sunset before Tugela appeared with the chief's answer. Metilulu had sent me permission to leave for the white settlement when I pleased, and also gave me for a guide the warrior whose life he had that day spared on account of our prayers. " Did he grant this willingly, Tugela V I asked. " Not at all ; he seems much vexed." '* I am sorry," I said, " for I must go. Well, Tugela, express my sincere thanks to Metilulu, and say that I have no means now of showing my grati- tude, but, if he will allow me, I should like to send him back by the guide some presents, if he would honour me by their acceptance." 270 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. Tugela, replying he had no doubt this would much please the chief, willingly took the message ; and no sooner had he gone than, casting myself on the ground, I actually cried for joy at the thought of the possibility of once again embracing my dear wife and little ones. Even Jack's eyes grew, dim, though as he said, he had nothing but his country and his ship to love and care for ; and, he added, " by jingo, I'll be true to 'em, that I will, or Tm a black nigger of a Kaffir." Poor Zenuta ; at tlot moment I did not even give her a single thought. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 271 CHAPTER XXII. MY LAST INTERVIEW WITH METILULU — FAREWELL TO THE KRAAL — THE HONEY GUIDE — THE BUSH ON FIRE. The next morning we three were early astir ; indeed, as may be imagined, neither I nor Thoinpson had slept much all that night, through thinking of our speedy return. The few preparations we had to make were soon completed ; then we sat down to see if Metilulu, to whom I had communicated my intention of leaving that day by his kind permis- sion, would send any farewell message or adieu I fancied he would not, for from what I could gather he apparently had taken my desire to quit his tribe as a great piece of ingratitude. I was exceedingly sorry that we should part thus, but I could see no way out of the dilemma. It was while thus waiting that I began to think of Zenuta — affectionate Zenuta ! My heart blamed me bitterly for leaving her without a word, without again seeing her : for I intended to do this, dread- ing very much the parting scene. And this for her sake more than my own, for all my aflfections 272 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. were centred upon the dear ones at home, while hers, I knew too well, were bound up with my unworthy self. I pictured her eager inquiry of the warriors who were to fetch the residue of the tribe to their new dwelling as to where I was, and her surprised despair when they said that I had gone, gone for ever, leaving but a kind message for her, and endowing her with all my household goods. How little would she regard the latter ? How poignant would be her grief ? How would she bear my cruel desertion, I asked myself. With rage? with passionate indignation? or with deep hopeless despair and prostrate heart-broken sorrow ? The thought was too painful, even in the surmise — T felt my lip tremble and my eyes grow misty. Poor girl! I would have done as much for her as I would for a dear sister; but neither sister, father, uor mother, could have made me renounce the chance of once more joining my wife and children. It was just as I had ended giving Mr. Ferguson numerous messages for Zenuta, and earnestly entreating him to be as kind as I knew he could be to her, adding that he would find the first seeds of our faith deeply implanted in her heart, that Tugela appeared outside the hut, where we instantly FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 273 joined him. Accompanying him was the warrior whose life we had saved, and who now bore across his shoulders several valuable skins, which Tugela informed me were mine, Metilulu having sent them as presents. The chief apparently had become far more reconciled to my leaving after the message that I would send him presents from the white settlements, and even requested that I would come to his hut to say farewell. Accordingly I at once proceeded thither, and found him in a very amiable mood. After a little conversation, he hinted at what kind of presents he should like, especially one of those guns of which 1 had spoken. I promised I would not forget, and neither did I, but sent him a pretty large parcel of English articles, that I knew he would greatly value. Finding him in so different a humour to what I had expected, I ventured to mention Zenuta, saying I hoped, though I regarded all my property in Kaifraria as his, that he would yet permit me to bestow it as a dowry on the poor girl. He immediately consented, no doubt having a dread of taking her into his own harem, and said that possessing the cows, she would assuredly soon find a husband. This settled, I arose and took my leave, my last words being a reiteration of my 274 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. promise not to forget the gun among the other presents I intended to send. I then proceeded to say farewell to those among the tribe with whom I was on friendly terms, and lastly with Tugela, whom I felt much regret in leaving never to meet again, for he had been a kiiid friend and a most intelligent companion. After- wards, having warmly embraced Mr. Ferguson, and received his final messages to his friends in England, Thompson, Umatula, and myself started for the bush. Thompson and I called it starting for home. We got on extremely well that day, for Jack and I were in the best of spirits, and could look upon most hardships as trifles, while our Kaffir compan- ion, possessing an amount of intelligence more than usual with his tribe, kept us amused by recounting numerous hunting and cattle lifting parties in which he had borne a part. It was during our first mornings march that Umatula called our attention to a bird perched on a bush in front of us, who by his cherr-cherring cry seemed to be trying to attract our notice. Such evidently was the case, for no sooner did he find he was seen than he began hopping further on, stopping and looking back to see if we were following. This we immediately did, for I now recognized it FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 275 to he a bird I had often heard about but had never seen, called the Honey Guide, from the fact that he will lead men to where the bees have constructed their hive, for the disintf .Tested purpose that the man may eat the honey. The birds appear to have no fear of man. Therefore, from bush to bush we followed, the little creature keeping up its cry until it finally came to a halt upon a tree, in a hollow of which we descried the comb. Umatula speedily extracted the treasure, for like all the natives he was exceedingly fond of honey, and most skilful in extracting combs. We all willingly partook of it, taking care to leave a plentiful supply for our little friend the Honey Guide, who, from a neighbouring branch, waited impatiently for his share. When we were once more on our way Umatula told us that not only did the Kaffir make use of this little bird, but the Honey Ratel also availed itself of its services. He said that this animal, a species of the weasel tribe, would follow the bird like we had to the treasure, tear it from the tree with its sharp claws, its thick coat being impervious to the enraged insects' stings, devour its share, and leave a sufficient quantity as remuneration to its guide. With the help of our assagais and knob-kerries 276 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. we had killed enough game to make us a first-rate repast, and as night drew on, when it had been agreed we should bivouac, we lighted a large fire, both to cook our provisions and to scare any wild beasts that might be near, for we could hear their different roars and howls deep in the bush. It was while attending to the culinary preparations that Thompson, with a round oath, suddenly sprang from the fire as if it had burned him — a movement speedily explained by the apparition of a large snake within the circle of lidit. Without takinof any notice of Jack or either of us, the creature moved rapidly along to the fire, being attracted by the warmth. We watched it curiously. Swiftly it went so close to the embers that it must have burnt itself severely, yet it only drew back in order to again approach, repeating this trick just after the manner of a moth round a flame. It would have shared the moth's fate had not Umatula destroyed it by striking it on the head with his knob-kerrie. Whereupon Thompson proceeded with his cooking, upon which we made a hearty meal ; then, Umatula undertaking the first watch, we rolled ourselves each in our own kaross and speedily slept the sleep of the fatigued, for we had covered a great distance in our journey that day. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 277 At an aorreed time Umatula awoke me to take his turn of rest, while I watched — an employment I scarcely felt up to, heing so extremely drowsy that, fearing to fall off in slumber, I got up, and drawing the fire together supplied it with fresh fuel ; then sitting down, I tried to keep myself awake by imagining the surprise my return would create, and how all the papers would be full of the history of the two shipwrecked mariners who had spent over a year among the almost unknown tribes of Kaffraria. But all these manoeuvres could not prevent my heavy eyelids from closiug, and I fancy I must have actually dozed off, when I was suddenly aroused by vague consciousness that the place was growing much lighter. We had encamped upon a hill side, and on looking up I perceived the sky, over the tree tops in the direction of the plains, to be of a light yellow glow. My first movement was to arouse my companions, but recollecting how tired they must be, I deter- mined before doing so to inquire a little further into the cause, as it miglit be some atmospheric phenomenon which would disappear in a moment, though to me it had the same appearance as a lar^e fire would have in England. For this purpose I 278 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG TEE KAFFIRS. quickly mounted higher up the hill, and scaling a rocky projection turned and gazed back. Heavens ! what a sight met my view —grandly beautiful, but how awful ! Some distance off the whole plain before me was covered by a vast sheet of fire, which leaped and lapped with its forked tongues as it rushed onward. The entire distance appeared in flames — as if the end of the world had come. With the speed of consternation I dashed back to my companions, and shouted in their ears, "Get up ! for heaven's sake ; be quick ! The bush is on fire, and the flames are coming in our direction." The words acted like magic ; both were instantly on their feet, and following me to my previous post of inspection. No sooner had Umatula discovered the direction of the fire, which each moment was increasing in rapidity, than shouldering the skins, he bade us follow him ; for we laid right in the fierce element's track, and if it reached us it would be certain death. " We must go to yonder rock," he said, pointing to one some distance ofi*, " on the top of it we may perhaps be safe." With as much speed as we could muster we instantly followed the swift Kaffir, and with hands FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 279 and legs torn by the strong -thorns of the cactus bushes succeeded in reaching the summit of the rock where, throwing ourselves down, breathless with our haste, we contemplated the spreading conflagration. If it it was grand before, it was terribly so now, for it covered the whole plain and was rushing up the hillside, the flames curling into the air like things of life, leaping from bush to bush, springing up in spiral columns to the skies, and destroying all signs of vegetation in its path.' As it reached the hill and bush, roars and howls of terror suddenly arose from all the affrighted dwellers in its shades. The most fierce as well as the weakest fled before this pitiless, unconquerable enemy, which seemed to leap and rejoice in the pursuit. Then with an awful howl the bush dis- gorged its inmates. Antelopes, tigers, jackals, hyaenas, elephants, and even here and there a large snake, came rusliing forth in one contused herd — no longer thinking of preying on each other, though the geuibok fled shoulder to shoulder with the lion — all being possessed with but one idea in that terrible moment, to escape from the frightful enemy behind them. I have never beheld such a sight, and never shall 2b0 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. again. No scene I am sure in all the world could surpass the grandeur of a fire in the hush. Thank heaven, the rock Umatula had selected was slightly out of the track of the flames, and to our relief we saw them sweep past, their heated breath scorching our cheeks, leaving first red embers, then a vast extent of burnt charred vegita- tion in their tract. " However could this have occurred," 1 exclaimed to Umatula when all danger was over, " such an accident is most dangerous." " Not at all ; this is no accident,'* he laui^he 1 '* The Kaffirs have done it to improve the grass for the cattle." *' Done it ! " I repeated in surprise. " Yes ; directly the oxen have eaten a patch of grass to the stubble and it gets coarse, my country- men set fire to it when the cows are safe in the isibaya and the wind does not lay that way but towards the bush." " But they ruin the land for miles," said Thomp- son grufl3y. " No, they improve it ; the charred wood and stubble serve for manure, and if rain comes the land is speedily recovered by a fresh vegetation." This was perfectly true. The scorched blackened FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 281 soil which we now looked upon from our rocky height would in a hrief period send forth sweet shoots, forming an excellent food for cattle. Certainly the plan might he very good, hut I hoped within myself, while Thompson expressed the same wish aloud in English, that when the natives had recourse to this method of strengthen- ing the ground, there might not be any unfortunate travellers like ourselves in the neighbourhood. Then with a prayer of thanks from both of us for our preservation, we once more laid down on the top of the rock, and feeling ourselves safe from any unpleasant intrusion, owing to the exterminating fire, were all three in a short time sleeping soundly. 282 FiFIECiN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. CHAPTER XXIII. IN WANT OF WATER — THE HONEY GUIDE PLAYS ME A TRICK — HOW I AM SAVED — ZENUTA. On rising the next morning, and disposing of some biltongue, we again started on our journey, and got through many hours of the day with but little incident to recount, save that we were consumed by a terrific thirst, having, since the previous evening, been unable to procure water. The rain which had fallen in the neiij'ibourhood of the kraal appeared never to have reached this spot, for the bed of a small stream we had passed was perfectly cracked and arid from want of moisture. So, while a tropical sun was shining down upon our heads, we had to proceed without being able to procure a drop of water to cool our parched lips, 3nly finding relief in sucking or chewing different Fruits and leaves of a watery nature, which Umatula pointed out to us. Having heard our guide once or twice exclaim, " If I had but a chacma here," I at last asked him what a chacma was, and why he wanted one at that particular moment. FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 283 " The chacma," he answered, " is a baboon, one of the most destructive of the whole species to our crops, for he knows where to find the best as well as we do." " By old Davy Jones himself," ejaculated Thompson in English to me, " but how could a blessed ape, with these propensities, serve ns here ? " The question was answered immediately by Umatula, who had stopped on observing Jack was speaking, and now continued — "Though our enemy in this, we make him a friend sometimes by taming him ; for the chacma is passionately fond of a root called babiana, which is always full of a watery juice ; so, when lacking water in dry weather like the present, we lead these creatures by a piece of hide, and they will direct us to these roots, from which, on digging them up, we extract the fluid." After this explanation. Jack, as well as I, desired the presence of the chacma as much as Umatula did, but the three wishes were no better than the one : we were quite as destitute of water as ever, and proceeded with our spirits slightly depressed in consequence. To make matters worse, I had happened co tread upon a thorn, which had so pierced my foot as to create a slight lameness, so 284 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. that I could not walk at the same rate which I had done on the day previously. It was within two or three hours of night-time, when hy sundry signs and a change in the vegita- tion, Umatula said he felt sure that a stream, perhaps a river, must he close at hand, and proposed that, as I was so crippled, he and Jack should diA'erge a little from the right track, climb a small eminence some little distance off and ascertain if his surmises were correct. Willing to save myself from more exertion than was absolutely necessary, I gladly agreed to the plan, and, casting myself at the foot of a tree, watched them depart. They had not long disap- peared, however, before the now easily recognized cherr of the Honey Guide attracted my attention. Jjooking up, I saw the little feathered biped perched on a bush close by, his head on one side as if making a minute inspection of my person. Fancy- ing a few honey-combs would be a pleasant addition to our late meal, if we could but find water, I scrambled on to my feet and began to follow my small guide. The sweet treasure was evidently not far off, for the bird went slowly, and, after a few yards, stopped near a tangled fence of parasites. Seeing no place for the bees' store, I approached FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 285 and drew aside the tangled mass, believing I should find some felled tree or shattered trunk, which the insects had converted into a hive ; but with a chilling horror, I stood transfixed to the spot, as I encountered the blood-red eyes of a leopard which was crouching behind. How long we remained gazing into each others eyes I do not know — it seemed an hour, bat could only have been but a few seconds — when a stealthy movement of the animal, as it apparently began to contract its muscles for a spring, recalled me to a sense of my danger, and instinctively I raised an assagai and flung it at the creature ; it pierced him in the shoulder, and with a roar of pain he rose, but failed in his bound. Instantly I sprang back, then a cry of horror escaped my lips, for I felt as if a companion of the fierce beast in front had seized me both with claws and teeth from behind. The next instant, however, I had learned the terrible truth. I was once more in the tenacious grasp of another of those awful species of the acacia tribe — the acacia detinens. Yes, there I was, held firmly, confident that the least struggle would but make me a greater prisoner; while the leopard, as if conscious of my helpless position, was slowly dragging itself through the bushes, never once. 286 FIFTEEN" MONTHS AMDNG THE KAFFIRS. however, taking its fiery eyes from my face. I tried to raise my arm with an assagai, but it was useless ; the thorns penetrated my flesh, while I felt I had no power to aim the weapon, or, if I did so, the blow would be so light that it would onlv further irritate without harming the brute in front. I even now shudder at the remembrance of that awful moment. No savage of the most fiendish nature could have gloated over his intended victim more than the leopard seemed to. He drew him- self along on his stomach as I have seen a dog do. The wound I had given him had apparently made him weak, for he was unable to spring, and, though dreading each moment that he would so, I grew sick and dizzy at the terrible suspense. All at once I read in the creature's eyes his intent to put an end to the afi^air. His tail began slowly to lash backwards and forwards, beating the ground fiercely; then I saw the haunches of the lithe body crouch up, the shoulders draw back. I felt my brain turning and uttered cry after cry. I yelled aloud for help, addressing both Umatula and Jack, feeling at the same time that if by chance they did hear my cries, they could never reach mc in time. A prayer rose to my lips. I gave one gigantic, mad struggle as I saw the leopard rise /•//' ..■<^* ■\^; *'■;««' V\\\ riY MY ADVENTURE WITH THK I.KOl'ARI). FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 289 quickly into the air ; then shrieked wildly as its horrid face, with its flaming eyes, terrible mouth glistening with strong white teeth, glared into mine, while its breath, like a simoom, stirred my very hair. Madly I flung up my arms, then sank back insensible. When I came to — for of course I did, else this history would never have been written — I believed I had been killed, and having passed through the darkness of the grave, had awakened in the other world ; but a few moments after my eyes recognized the African foliage about me, and I felt I was lying on the ground, my body painful with pricks and deep scratches, and my head supported on somebody's knees. *' Is that you. Jack, old fqllow ? " I asked faintly. "Ah, you speak ! you live ! " exclaimed a well- remembered voice in the Kaffir tongue, and Zenuta's face was bent over mine. Faint and sore as I was, I started up in my sur- prise, ejaculating — " Zenuta ! you here ? How can it be possible ? " " Possible ! Oh, Galbrth, do you think I could have ever lived without you? You went — oh, cruel, cruel ! — but I followed — forgive me." " What ! You followed us, Zenuta ? Have you 20O FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. braved the danorers of the hush alone, nnd for mv sake? " I said in much astonishment and emotion. " Dangers ! " she repeated, smilinof, " I did not think of them. What were they to me when I knew by surmounting them I should again see you ; and if I did not," she added seriously, " I thought we miglit meet again there " — pointing upward— ** as you have so often told me we should." The tears started to my eyes at the affection of this poor girl, and, taking her hand, J said, " Heaven bless you, Zenuta ! I shall never be able to repay you — never, indeed, for it must be to you that I owe ray life." '* Yes, yes ! to me, Galbvth, to me ! " she cried, a bright joy radiatinfy her features, as she clapped her hands with delight ; "you owe your life to me, little Zenuta ! Oh, I am glad— so glad ! " " But tell me how, dear Zenuta. I really thought my hour had at last come." As she was about to commence her story we were interrupted by the return of Umatula and Jack, whose surprise at the appearance of Zenuta was equally as great as mine had been. The Kaffir, I fancied, regarded her angrily, an.'x I secretly resolved that, if he expressed his disapproval in words, the affectionate girl should find a powerful FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 291 protector in me ; but as he remained quiet, and the first vexed expression died out of his features, I explained to them the danger I had run, and learned from Umatula that it was no uncommon thing for the honey guide to lead persons occasionally to the lair of some fierce beast of the forest instead of to the bees' treasure, which unpleasant propensity makes the natives very cautious when they follow the bird. " But how, Zenuta," I added, turning again to her, " were you able so soon to follow us and thus become my protector, my preserver ? " " At the same time that you left the kraal," she said, " it seems that a party of warriors was sent to bring us, the women and cattle to our new home. My people travel faster than white men, and a few hours after, I heard — oh, Galbrth! I heard that you had gone — gone for ever to the white settle- ment. I threw myself in agony on the ground; but I could not weep. My head felt on fire, and at last, starting up, I resolved to follow you. In the confusion I crept out of the kraal, I fled to the bush. I did not care if I died there : I only felt I could no longer live with my people when you were away." "And the fire last night, Zenuta?" I asked anxiously. 202 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. "It nearly caught me,*' she answered, laughing gleefully, " hut I ran— I ran till I could escape it. Then I went on : I could not sleep for I could find no trace of the path you ha*d taken. It made me mad. I ran on and on — I felt no fatigue — I had no fear — when suddenly a cry, a shout of terror, reached me. It was your voice, Galbrth. I rushed for- ward : I saw the leopard just rising into the air. I saw your danger. The next moment, with a leap, I had flung my arms tightly ahout the creature, and we hoth together fell struggling to the ground, when, feeling one of your assagais touch my hand, I seized it, and plunged it again and again into the leopard's hody, till I felt his claws relax on my arms, when I knew he was dead and I was safe." " What ! " I cried, in much concern, " did the frightful animal harm you, my nohle Zenuta ? " " A little," she replied, smiling, as she turned to me her arm, on the hack of which I perceived the flesh to be torn and bleeding. " My poor, brave girl ! " I exclaimed tremulously. ** It is nothing — I like it," she laughed softly, " because did I not save you, my Galbrth ? " I pressed her hand affectionately in mine, and, before anything else was said or done, persisted that her shoulder should be attended to. Then, FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFHRS.^ 293 being consumed with a ten'ible thirst, I asked Umatula whether he had prophecied rightly respect- ing water being near. **Yes," he replied, with ah amused smile, "there is plenty at a little distance off, as I should have known, had your accident occurred before we started, for the plant which held you prisoner always grows near water." "If that be so," I exclaimed, getting up, "for heaven's sake let us go there, for I am perishing of thirst ! I can walk well enough now." 29^ FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFHRS. CHAPTER XXIV- OVERTAKEN BY A STORM — THE FATE OF ZENUTA — WE START FOR DEAR OLD ENGLAND — MY NATIVE VILLAGE. Umatula leading the way, and Jack giving me the support of his arm — for what with my lame foot and the thorns having unmercifully torn my flesh, I felt weak — we all four proceeded to the stream, which was little more than a hundred yards distant, and which proved to be a small tributary of the river Umooli. Here we bivouacked and, after copious draughts of water, enjoyed as good a dinner as we could procure, of which Zenuta stood in much need. Before darkness quite set in we forded the stream, dashing the water and shouting as we went to scare the crocodiles that congregated in rather large numbers on the banks. While preparing to continue our journey on the other side, my attention was drawn to the sky, where vast masses of dark clouds were collecting in black mountainous heaps. At the same time a hot air, as from a furnace, made the atmosphere oppressive to the lungs. FIFTEEN MONTBS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 295 I was about to point out these ominous signs to Umatula, when I perceived that he too had seen that there was a storm of no common character threatening. The Kaffir, it appears, has a great fear of thunder-storms, and will give the witch- doctors high prices for charms to preserve them from danger during these periods. Zenuta, like Umatula, had several, and eagerly she implored me to wear one, which, to please her, I certainly would have done, had I not felt it against my religion to do so. Would that these charms had indeed been efficacious. Anxiously Umatula glanced up and about him ; then indicating a hill-side a very few yards off, warned us to seek shelter there, and as quickly as possible, for perhaps the storm would be down on us before we could even reach it. Dashing forward, however, we arrived in safety, and found there a natural cavity which promised protection. Into this we huddled to escape the floods of rain which Umatula prophesied would be sure to come. Scarcely had we fairly ensconced ourselves than the heavens grew as black as night ; then the dark clouds were rent asunder by a vivid, an awful flash of lightning." All around seemed ablaze, as if fire had rained on the earth, while overhead the thunder 296 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. began to roll — not clap after clap, but in one con- tinuous roar, like tlie succession of thousands of cannon, wliicli shook thegTound beneath us as if an earthquake were taking place. All nature was one pitchy hue, only illumined at brief intervals by the white blinding lightning. Then down came the rain in sheets, as if the flood- gates of some hundreds of Niagaras had been suddenly removed, changing the plain we had so lately traversed in a few seconds into an enormous lake. The Kaffir sat with his face hidden as much as possible to avoid the glaring light. Zenuta crouched in a corner, while Jack and I, save an occasional exclamation of wonder or awe, also remained silent, feeling it was no time to talk. Thus we remained until the storm seemed abat- ing: the lightning had grown rarer, while the thunder was less loud, and we were beginning to congratulate ourselves upon its so speedily passing over, when, as if for a finale, a more awful flash than any of the previous ones lit up the whole heavens. So dazzling was the glare that, with an involuntary cry from all, we fell prostrate on our faces. The next instant a deafening uproar arose — no longer in the air, but about our ears. I FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 297 believed the hill had been shaken to its base, and was sliding, rolling, crushing in upon us, and bury- ing us alive. The sound lasted many minutes — to us it appeared hours ; then suddenly a perfect stillness fell over everything, and after a while, recovering our breath and senses, we slowly raised our eyes and looked around. The sky w^as clear, the moon even at intervals shining forth ; but how changed was the landscape it lighted up ! The whole country was flooded with broad sheets of water, dotted near at hand by immense boulders, which had been rent from hills around and above us. As I gazed I thought how easily such a rain, did it continue forty days and nights, might flood two worlds instead of one. Seeing that all danger was now passed, Umatula now rose, still tightly grasping his charm. We also got up. As I did so, however, 1 became aware that the grasp which Zenuta had taken of my hand did not relax, neither did she attempt to rise. With a vague terror I bent over her, trying to lift her up, and calling her by name. She did not move — she did not answer. I believed she had fainted, and eagerly bade Umatula and Jack come to my assistance, as, turning the poor girl on her 298 FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFlllS. side, I rested her head on my shoulder. Just then the moon shone out hetween two clouds, and its heams rested upon Zenuta s face. A cry of horror and grief escaped my lips, for, in the bright moon- light, I instantly read the fatal- truth. She ap- peared to he asleop ; yet the half-closed mouth and eyes, the peculiar bluish hue of the dark skin, told too well the tale. Zenuta was dead! Whether she had been struck by the last awful flash, or it had occurred through terror, her heart had ceased to beat in this world for ever. As this fact darted through my brain I hent over the remains of the affectionate girl, and, pressing my lips to her cold forehead, wept like a child, or like a brother for a heloved sister. Here, in the wilds of uncivilized Kaffraria, I had truly found one pure, bving heart. How many a man goes through life in our land without the same hlessing ! Poor Zenuta ! you held, and do still hold, a firm place in my hosom from which you can never he removed, and I believe, as, thank Heaven, you too helieved, that we shall meet again hereafter. When T rose up I found that neither Jack nor Umatula's eyes were free from tears ; but, as Jack said truly, but most kindly, it was no time for out- ward grief: we might and should sorrow in our FIFTEEN MONTHS AMONG THE KAFFIRS. 299 hearts for the poor girl, yet it would not help her now, and we must not sit down to despond, for there were other duties to be performed. I under- stood his meaning, and, with their aid, immediately set to work. By the moon's light I laid Zenuta in the cave, breathed a few fervent heartfelt prayers over her ; then too^ether we collected the lar *4?- r *44- *45 *46 *47- -Kknilvvorth . -Nicholas Nickleby -Pickwick Papers . -Sketches by Boz . -Ivan HOE "Famous Fairy Tales of all Nations -Hearts of Oak Exploits -Vanity Fair . -Pendennis -In the Days of the Revo LUTION -True Stories of Adventure -Ben Hur -BuNYAN*s Pilgrim's Progress -Monte Christo -Windsor Castle . -Souvenirs of the Second F.MPIRE -Home Influence . -Naomi .... •Basil Marsden -Swiss Family Robtnson -The Wide, Wide World -The Raid on the Transvaal BY Dr. Jameson . -Who was She? -Mountain Fugitives -Davy's Schooldays -Victorian England -What Became of Him? -Stani.ey and his Heroic Re lief of Emin Pasha . By Walter Scott „ Charles Dickens. M M tl ,, Walter Scott. M Anthony R. Monfalba Lieut. -Col. Knollya 4' Majof Elliott. W. M. Thackeray. Carette. Roscoe Mongan 4r P. H, Hemyng., R.N. Lew Wallace. John Bmiyan. Alexandre Dumas. 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