340 BELIEF IN GHOSTS. 



Our camping ground was picturesque, in close 

 proximity to numerous kopjes, from the krantzes and 

 rocks of which hung suspended wonderfully dis- 

 torted veteran trees, in many instances loaded with 

 such a growth of moss, as to give them the veritable 

 appearance of great age among aged surroundings. 

 Those trees, however, that grew upon the flat were 

 of a more youthful character ; still many a year 

 must have passed over their heads from their height 

 and development of trunk. 



This camping ground had a bad reputation, for 

 near it three members of the Griqua Land Police 

 Force had at different times disappeared, and in 

 spite of the most assiduous search, not a remnant of 

 their bodies, clothing, or equipment was ever 

 found. 



Bushmen, lions, and leopards are still to be found 

 in this locality. Wiseacres, of course, asserted that 

 the gallant troopers had succumbed under the 

 poisoned arrows of these pigmy and baboon-like 

 representatives of the human race. Less experi- 

 enced persons scouted the idea of Bushmen being 

 the malefactors, but laid these mysterious occur- 

 rences to the door of ferce nature? . Who was 

 correct has never been decided, but, strange to say, 

 in each instance the trooper's charger returned un- 

 scathed. 



If the weather had been more propitious, and 

 the cattle less fatigued, I, doubtless, should have 



