128 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



compelled to do on account of pasture, it will easily be 

 .understood that they have little difficulty in removing 

 their house along with them. A strong pack-ox can 

 travel with the whole concern placed on his back ; and 

 on occasions of their migration, I have seen a pack-ox 

 carrying not only its master's house on its back, but 

 also a complete set of dairy utensils, all manufactured 

 of wood, a couple of skin bags containing thick milk, 

 various cooking utensils, and, surmounting all, the guid- 

 wife, with one or two of her children. They are all 

 possessed of flocks and herds of goats, sheep, and cattle. 

 A description of the houses and manner of living of 

 these people may serve to convey an idea of all the 

 tribes that border on the Vaal and Orange Rivers to 

 the sea. They are, without exception, of an indolent 

 disposition, and averse from hard work of any descrip- 

 tion. Much of their time is spent in hunting, and 

 large parties annually leave their homes and proceed 

 with their wagons, oxen, and horses on hunting expedi- 

 tions into the far interior, absenting themselves for a 

 period of from three to four months. They are a peo- 

 ple remarkable for their disregard for truth, a weakness 

 which I regret to state I found very prevalent in South- 

 ern Africa. They are also great beggars, generally 

 commencing by soliciting for " trexels," a trexel being 

 a pound of tea or coffee. Knowing the gallantry of our 

 nation, they affirm this to be a present for a wife or 

 daughter, whom they represent as being poorly. If 

 this is granted, they continue theii importunities, suc- 

 cessively fancying your hat, neckcloth, or coat ; and 1 

 have known them on several occasions coolly request 

 me to exchange my continuations for their leathern in- 

 expressibles, which they had probably worn for a couplo 

 of summers. 



