FEMALE HEROISM. 



333 



cient, for I have known them defy half-a-dozen 

 white men to catch one of them, while their doubl- 

 ings are almost equal in abruptness to those of a 

 hare. 



In course of time I got upon speaking terms 

 with this bronze-coloured Venus, and not unfre- 

 quently obtained a beaker of water from her pitcher 

 as I met her threading her way from the wells to 

 the station. Thus I took more than an ordinary 

 interest in her. Soon afterwards I heard that she 

 was betrothed and about to be married to one of the 

 oldest and most opulent men of the tribe. This re- 

 port created a good deal of sympathy with the 

 young creature, as her future spouse was very de- 

 crepit, very parsimonious, and already possessed of 

 many helpmates. 



Not only this, but it was currently reported that 

 she had fallen in love with a young Barolong, of 

 reputed courage and handsome physique. 



Now would have been the time for the girl to 

 have eloped, and all, doubtless, would have ended 

 satisfactorily ; but, either she could not find the 

 opportunity to leave her home, or her inamorato 

 had not the pluck to take the responsibility. Day 

 by day the attentions of her fiance became more and 

 more repulsive. But what could she do ? Her 

 parents favoured the match, and, to suit their views, 

 she was to be sold into bondage far worse than 

 slavery. However, the girl was not without courage, 



