LAID BY THE HEELS. 91 



pressed hesitation whether she would depart or not. 

 Such boldness, especially when a good fire was 

 burning in close proximity, to say the least of it, 

 augured for a renewal of the visit, and probable 

 injury to some of the people. 



Our approach had alone driven the lady back, 

 but although out of sight she was not far distant, 

 for at intervals we could both hear her breathe, and 

 pass through the underbush. To prevent accidents 

 similar to what now appeared to be threatened, I 

 had strictly enjoined upon the Mantatees the neces- 

 sity of constructing a high, impenetrable fence 

 around their kraal ; but, with the proverbial heed- 

 lessness of these people, they had procrastinated 

 doing so from day to day. When one of them is 

 carried off it is just possible that they will think it 

 time to obey my orders. 



A couple of days after that on which I killed the 

 rhinoceros, just as breakfast was about to be served, 

 the camp was put in a state of excitement by Um- 

 piqua bringing the information that a party of 

 giraffes were passing to the west of us, apparently 

 with the intention of crossing the river at the ford. 

 In a moment all were in a state of bustle — all I 

 say, but should except Selwin, who was " laid by the 

 heels" by a very severe attack of fever — otherwise our 

 temporary home would soon have been comparatively 

 speaking deserted from the desire to kill or to assist 

 at the slaughter of some of these grand animals, the 



