WILD DOGS AND KOODOOS, 103 



in the mountains where I had started a pack of about 

 thirty wild dogs in the morning. Observing a number 

 of vultures sitting on the rocks about the place from 

 which the dogs had started, I at once knew that they 

 had kiiled some animal; and on riding up I discovered 

 the skeleton of an old doe koodoo, which they had run 

 into and consumed. They had not cracked the marrow- 

 bones, which the hyeenas would have done if left there 

 till after sunset. These, therefore, my Hottentots hast- 

 ily took possession of, the marrow of the thigh-bones of 

 the koodoo being by them esteemed a great delicacy. 

 Springing from their horses, they triumphantly seized 

 the skeleton; and, each selecting for himself a couple 

 of stones, they sat down on the ground, cracked the 

 marrow-bones, and greedily devoured their raw con- 

 tents. On reaching the wagons we found an extreme- 

 ly ancient and shriveled-looking Bushman, who chat- 

 tered just like a monkey. He signed to me that I had 

 visited his hut on the preceding day, but that he fear- 

 ed the Griquas who accompanied me. He also inti- 

 mated that he feared the Boers; but he knew, from the 

 appearance of my wagons, that they belonged to an 

 Englishman. He also signified to me that, when the 

 moon should rise, blue wildebeests would come and drink 

 at " Stink Vonteyn." This fact I had already ascer- 

 tained from personal observation, having seen their spoor 

 by the water. In the evening, having taken several 

 cups of strong coffee to keep me awake, I walked to 

 the fountain with four of my followers, bearing spades 

 and pickax, and my bedding, to watch for wild animals. 

 Having constructed a shooting-hole, my men retired, 

 and I took up my position for the night, which was 

 mild and lovely, with good moonlight. After watch- 

 ing several hours I fell asleep. About midnight my 



