140 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



small bushy flat as we drew up the wagons. I went 

 after these, and made a fine ofF-hand shot at an old 

 cock at a hundred and fifty yards. Here I lost Cobus 

 and Jacob, my two Hottentot after-riders. Returning 

 from the bustards to my wagons, where I expected to 

 find my breakfast waiting me, I discovered these two 

 worthies, whose duty it was to be preparing it, quietly 

 reclining under the shade of a mimosa, and enjoying 

 the soothing influence of their short clay pipes. Being 

 now beyond the pale of magisterial law, I deemed that 

 a little wholesome correction might prove beneficial, 

 which I accordingly administered. This so disgusted 

 these high-minded youths, that after breakfast they 

 embraced the opportunity of my bathing to abscond 

 from my service. I imagined that they had sneaked 

 into the bushes, and would soon return. I, however, 

 saw no more of them until several months after, when 

 I met them at Colesberg, which place they had reach- 

 ed, assisted by the Bastards, through whose country 

 they had passed. Cobus, though a first-rate after- 

 rider, was a great scamp and mischief-maker ; and I 

 learned from my remaining people that it was by his 

 persuasion Jacob had left me. 



In the forenoon, the sun being extremely powerful, 

 I built for myself a bower under an old willow beside 

 the river. In this bower I made my bed, and might 

 have had a sound sleep by way of a change, had not 

 the musquitoes and midges assaulted me throughout 

 the whole night, so that I hardly closed my eyes. The 

 31st was a charming cool day, the sky beautifully over- 

 cast. Having enjoyed a good swim in the waters of 

 the Vaal, I breakfasted, after which I saddled up, and 

 rode north to seek for roan antelope. I was accompa- 

 nied by Carollus, the native of Mozambique, who was 



