120 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



post, where we meet the chief of the Kaffirs of the 

 district, who resides at the kraal before mentioned. 

 About forty other Kaffirs, the Boers recently arrived, 

 with a few Hottentots and Bushmen, make up the 

 11 gallery." The baboons on the mountain-side 

 yonder, the mountain eagle hovering motionless near 

 the cliff tops, and the vultures soaring far away, 

 mere specks in the pale blue, evening sky, who 

 doubtless note our every movement, are the only 

 other spectators of this curious scene. 



The Kaffirs are chattering at a great rate, and a 

 betting man, if he were present, would have no 

 difficulty in laying a good book against their pet. 

 The dark champion is not attired in the costume 

 sacred to Lillie Bridge or Fenner's Ground ; to 

 speak the truth his costume is very nearly nil. He 

 looks, as he always does, in hard condition, and 

 his brown skin bears that peculiar and splendid 

 polish that betokens in the Kaffir the best of health. 

 Three watches have been set at the same time ; 

 one of these goes with the starter to the starting- 

 post, another is held half-way, and the third remains 

 at the winning-post. These precautions are adopted 

 as we are rather curious to know what a Kaffir 

 really can do in the way of running. The respective 

 champions and starter then walk quietly along the 

 road till they reach the starting-point ; they are 

 unable to carry on the light and airy conversation 

 affected by our English athletes on such an occasion, 

 which but too often ill conceals anxiety and nervous- 

 ness within ; for, to most persons, the few minutes 

 of preparation immediately before a race are very 

 trying moments indeed. They are accompanied 

 part of the way by about half the onlookers, who 



