FUNERAL SERVICE. I 37 



the most melancholy howls. Never, I venture to 

 say, a more dismal cortege wended its course through 

 forest or over veldt. 



Something, I knew, must now be done to get 

 rid of this daring brute, for, as she had tasted human 

 flesh, her visits would be repeated whenever she 

 wanted a change of diet, or had failed in her excur- 

 sions in pursuit of game. 



I handed the remains of the poor lad over to his 

 people for interment. Next morning I saw them 

 depart, obviously for that purpose. Where the 

 grave was I did not ask, neither did I enquire the 

 method of their burial. This may appear heartless, 

 but I had to attend to the obsequies of my dear 

 friend and fellow countryman — a duty more painful 

 than any I had ever previously performed, and 

 sincerely do I trust that I shall never be required to 

 o-o through such an ordeal ao-ain. 



Under a cliff of ten or twelve feet in height, a 

 bright green stretch of sward existed, on which the 

 sun appeared ever to shine when he was above the 

 horizon ; my Zulus dug a grave ; the corpse of 

 Selwin, enveloped in his scarlet blanket, was 

 lowered gently into it. I read the " funeral service," 

 with my followers sorrowfully standing around me. 

 Then, at my request, each went and brought me 

 arms full of green leaves and brilliant tropical 

 flowers — purest white water lilies and dazzling 

 scarlet orchids were numerous amono- them. The 



