A FEAST OP ORANGES GHOST-STORIES. 331 



Oranges, which are very abundant in these parts, were be- 

 ginning to ripen. One day some of our Damaras expressed 

 a wish to taste the enticing fruit, and, being supplied with a 

 shilling, they started off. In a short time they brought back 

 no less than two hundred oranges. They had scarcely fin- 

 ished a dozen or two, however, before the effect became irre- 

 sistible. The acidity of the fruit at this time of the year was 

 so great that it acted with the force of gun-cotton ; and, aft- 

 er having a " good blow-out," they were so disordered as to 

 be unable to taste food for several successive days. Indeed, 

 they were effectually cured of their orange mania. 



At the bivouac fire I was often entertained with ghost-sto- 

 ries. John, our wagon-driver, who seemed fully to believe 

 in apparitions, was the chief narrator. 



" Ghosts," said he, " abound in and about the neighbor- 

 hood of the Cape. At times they appear in the shape of 

 dogs ; at others, in that of human beings. Once, late at 

 night, I was coming from Simon's Bay, when the oxen all of 

 a sudden stopped short, and would have darted right into the 

 bush had I not been quick to turn them. Just then, noth- 

 ing could be seen ; but presently a large white dog, with a 

 chain round the neck, appeared. He passed us slowly with- 

 out injuring us in any way, and shaped his course over a 

 cross-road, when we continued our journey. At another time 

 I met the " spook" (ghost) in the form of a very tall black 

 man, accompanied by a large dog of the same color. 



*' Frequently, when returning late at night to my master's 

 place, while yet at a distance, I have seen the whole yard 

 and dwelling-house splendidly illuminated, but on coming to 

 the spot all was gone. 



" As a protection to the garden, my master had erected a 4 

 hut, where men slept at night. After a while, however, the 

 place became so haunted that the watchmen fled, and slept 

 any where they could in the bush. The ' spooks' were seen 

 continually to promenade up and down the walks arm-in- 

 arm, taking an occasional peep into the house. 



