INTERIOR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. 367 
we observed frequently fresh traces. These jungles are likewise inha- 
bited by many kinds of water-birds, amongst which is the graceful Plo- 
tus Levaillantii, or Anhinga, a noble-looking bird, generally swimming 
under water with its body, and showing his thin and long neck and 
head only above the surface. The graceful shape of its long slender 
neck gave rise to the Dutch name, ** Slangenek duiker,” or snake-neck 
duck, and as these birds inhabit also the ** Berg River" near its joining 
the sea-water, within the limits of the Cape Colony, they are known to 
many of the inhabitants. 
It happened that we met here I. G. S. Bronkhorst, an enterprising 
colonist, who accompanied some years ago H. Potgieter and other emi- 
grants on an exploratory expedition towards Delagoa Bay, in search of 
a small party of their friends, who emigrated several years previous, 
and settled towards the country of Delagoa Bay, and whom they found 
there quiet, and in good health and prosperity. They left their rela- 
tions and property on the banks of the Vaal River, when they com- 
' menced that journey, quiet and without any suspicion of danger; but 
l when they returned homewards again, they found that many relatives 
and friends were slain during their absence by the arms of Masilicatse’s 
warriors, and their flocks of cattle and sheep driven away by those 
Savages. One son of Mr. I. G. S. Bronkhorst’s, and some other youths 
of these emigrants, who were made prisoners, were taken with them as 
hostages ; they were used by the savages as waggon-drivers, to conduct 
several of the captured waggons to Masilicatse’s residence. Nothing 
authentic has been heard since of the fate of those unfortunate youths, 
which would kindle a spark of hope in the bosoms of the pitiable 
parents of ever seeing their children again. 
A half-grown male Vlat Boar (Phascochærus Africanus, Desm.), which 
we bought from a farmer of this place, gave us some trouble the first 
time we started, it being very sultry that day, and the animal would 
|... not permit of being carried on one of the waggons. However, as he 
! — became better accustomed to the party, and entered into familiarity _ 
ics with our little band of dogs, the animal was much liked on account of - 
his caressing manners and vivacity. Being however too active at the 
time when we halted, he would capsize pots and pans standing on the ——— 
fire, and we were obliged to fasten him with a chain during that time. — 
As the nights sometimes were considerably cold, we usually tethered — 
him near the watch-fire, which he liked very much, and would soon dig 
