ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF RUYTER. 147 



collecting salt. We had little difficulty in filling two 

 large sacks with it. 



The next day, as we crossed a vast plain, a flight of 

 locusts passed over our heads during upward of half an 

 hour, flying so thick as to darken the sun ; they reached 

 in dense clouds as far as we could see, and maintained 

 an elevation of from six to three or four hundred feet 

 above the level of the plain. Woe to the vegetation of 

 the country on which they alight ! In the afternoon 

 two mounted Boers were observed leading a spare horse 

 and following on our track. While they were yet afar 

 oft', Ruyter, the little Bushboy, recognized them as old 

 acquaintances, and pronounced one of them to be the 

 brother of the master from whom he had absconded. I 

 at once guessed the object of their visit, and was right 

 in my conjecture. By some clew they had ascertained 

 that the boy was in my possession, and were now fol- 

 lowing me in the hope of recovering him. According- 

 ly, when they rode up and requested me to halt the 

 wagons for a conference, I received them very gruffly, 

 and replied that, the water being distant, I had no time 

 for conferences until I should arrive there. Having re- 

 peated their request, and finding that I paid them no 

 regard, they took up a position in the rear, and followed 

 my wagons to the halting-place. Here they began to 

 pester me with a long yarn concerning their claims to 

 the Bushboy, when I stopped their pratings by ordering 

 them to drop the subject, promising them a hearing in 

 the morning ; and having directed my people to place 

 refreshments before the Boers, I wished them good- 

 night, and retired. 



On the following morning they renewed their impor- 

 tunities, stating many things which I knew to be false; 

 upon which Unformed them that the nation to whioli 



