256 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



some brute or other had disturbed it by intruding 

 upon its feeding place. 



Soon after sun up some visitors arrived ; they 

 had seen our fires the previous night, so curiosity 

 brought them to discover who were the strangers 

 intruding upon their domain. Doubtless they had 

 a long inspection before they exhibited themselves, 

 but having recognised some of the Mashoona of our 

 party, confidence was instilled into their bosoms, and 

 they came boldly forth. There was nothing about 

 their appearance remarkable to note ; what I said 

 of their countrymen from whom I purchased the 

 gold, might with equal justice be repeated in their 

 description. The natives are fond of paying visits 

 to each other, and keeping up the ties of relation- 

 ship, although they may be quite as many removes 

 off as Scotch cousins. After harvest is gathered is 

 the season for these reunions, and many are the 

 weary miles that they tramp to keep up this good old 

 custom. Hospitality is a virtue that is practised by 

 the natives of South Africa to an extent unknown in 

 other lands. The more destitute a stranger appears, 

 the greater seems his claim, and the more rapidly is 

 it acknowledged. Fortunately, some of the zebra 

 remained, and the camp fire had not burnt itself out, 

 so cooking was commenced with renewed vigour. I 

 could not help observing what a happy, contented 

 communitv they appeared ; even the Mantatees 

 seemed to have changed their natures, and vied 



