102 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



and difficult to get in those out-of the-way parts of 

 the earth, where the giants of the animal creation 

 are only obtainable. If not for their own safety, 

 but through feelings of humanity, I should advise all 

 to note well the instructions that I have Qriven above 

 regarding weapons. 



Our tramp home was rapidly accomplished, and 

 soon after the natives brought in piles of flesh — 

 sufficient one would imagine to keep them for a 

 week — till every adjoining tree was decorated with 

 numerous joints, but these aborigines have such 

 capacity for the stowage of food, that one night of 

 feasting will make an obvious reduction in a large 

 store. Many strangers from adjoining Mantatees' 

 kraals also arrived, to whom we could not deny 

 hospitality, particularly as the first comers of their 

 countrymen had behaved themselves fairly well 

 since our Zulus had giving them the drubbing 

 recorded. From the difficulties of transport, the 

 bugbear of sportsmen as well as of armies, the hides 

 had to be left on the veldts ; this was to be regretted, 

 for it makes most valuable leather, soles of boots 

 made from it are almost indestructible. An idea of 

 its hardness may be imagined when I state that I 

 have had washers made from it to go over 

 my wagon axles and bearings on the interior of 

 the hubs of the wheels, which, after trecking thou- 

 sands of miles, showed little or no indications of 

 wear. 



