BELIEF IN GHOSTS. 343 



the other discordant noises. A skulking hyaena, 

 moreover, had smelt our fare, and, from the shelter 

 of an adjoining shadow, complained sadly that he 

 had not been permitted to join in our repast. 



The example of this animal was infectious, for a 

 family party of jackals answered his wail and ap- 

 peared to confirm him in his belief that he was a 

 much abused animal in not being invited to partici- 

 pate in the good things of this earth. But these are 

 minor noises, for from the kopje sides comes a deep 

 sonorous bay that would do honour to the deepest- 

 voiced hound that e'er followed a disciple of St. Hu- 

 bert. It is the " all's well " of the sentinel baboon, 

 perched upon the summit of an adjacent krantz. 



My Hottentot driver was telling a story to a 

 most interested body of listeners, of how a great 

 chief had been murdered by his people in a most 

 dastardly and treacherous manner, and how he had 

 returned to avenge himself upon his assassins, in the 

 shape of a man-eating lion, when the narrator's voice 

 ceased, and his and every eye was directed to the 

 westward, whence came the distinct sound of a 

 horse's footfall, such as is made when the animal 

 is passing over wet ground. The black men heard 

 it, so did I ; they evidently looked for a supernatural 

 apparition. I, on the other hand, murmured to 

 myself, "It is a dirty and unpleasant night for any 

 poor fellow to be on the road." 



In a few minutes the unknown appeared through 



