56 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



an extensive open glade covered with several varieties 

 of low shrubs and grasses and rough heather. Here, 

 for the first time, I saw and shot the black koran, an 

 excellent game-bird, allied to the bustards, so abundant 

 throughout South Africa. Its weight corresponds with 

 that of our old cock grouse ; its legs and neck are long 

 like those of the ostrich ; its breast and back are gray, 

 and its wings black and white. They are every where 

 to be met Avith where the country is at all level and 

 open : when disturbed, they take wing and fly over the 

 plain in circles, much after the manner of the green 

 plover or peewit, uttering a harsh grating cry. The 

 best method of getting within range is to use a horse, 

 and ride round them in a circle, gradually contracting 

 it. To this open glade, whose name I have forgotten, 

 the Nimrods about Grahamstown often resort, and in- 

 dulge in the exciting sport of wild boar and porcupine 

 hunting. This " chasse" is conducted on bright moon- 

 light nights, with a gathering of rough strong dogs, the 

 hunters being armed with a bayonet or spear, with 

 which they dispatch the quarry when brought to bay. 

 I found the Great Fish River, as I had anticipated, 

 still flooded and impassable to wagons. It Avas, how- 

 ever, ebbing rapidly, and apparently would be fordable 

 on the morrow. During the previous heavy rains, 

 which were said not to have been equaled for twenty- 

 seven years, it had risen to an immense height, and 

 every where overflowed its banks. That part of the 

 bank which formed the descent and ascent of the for- 

 mer wagon-road was, as a matter of course, entirely 

 swept away, a steep wall on either side of the river re- 

 maining in its stead, flanked by a bank of deep and 

 slimy mud. An immense deal of manual labor would 

 consequently be necessary to form a road, by cutting 



