A FLIGHT OF LOCUSTS. 75 



they came like a snow-storm, flying slow and steady, 

 about a hundred yards from the ground. I stood look- 

 ing at them until the air was darkened with their 

 masses, while the plain on which we stood became 

 densely covered with them. Far as my eye could 

 reach — east^ west, north, and south — they stretched in 

 one unbroken cloud, and more than an hour elapsed 

 before their devastating legions had swept by. I was 

 particularly struck with this most wonderful and truly 

 interesting sight ; and I remember at the time my 

 feeling was one of self-gratulation at having visited a 

 country where I could witness such a scene. On this 

 day aiid on the morrow Strydom and I continued to 

 wage successful war against the springboks. We cross- 

 ed the small stream called the Theljus River, and hunt- 

 ed on the plains to the east. On one occasion Hendrio. 

 brought down two fat bucks at one shot, which he as- 

 sured me was not an uncommon event with him. 



On the morning of the 9th, Strydom and I having 

 resolved over night to go in quest of a troop of ostriches 

 which his Hottentot reported, frequenting the plains 

 immediately adjacent to the Thebus Mountain, we 

 started our Hottentots two hours before the dawn of 

 day ; and after an early breakfast we saddled up, and 

 rode direct for the Thebus Mountain. This remarkable 

 mountain, which I shall ever remember as the leading 

 feature on the plains where I first really commenced 

 my African hunting, is of peculiar shape, resembling a 

 cone depressed at the apex, and surmounted by a round 

 tower. It is also remarkable as being considerably 

 higher than the surrounding mountains, with which 

 the plains are bounded and intersected. As we rode 

 along, a balmy freshness pervaded the morning air. 

 We passed through herds of thousands of springboks, 



