306 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



ground with pointed sticks, and is first well beaten, 

 and then scraped with an assagai, whereby adhering 

 particles of sand are got rid of. The outside is then 

 pared off, and it is transfixed with a sharp stake for 

 facility of carriage. 



The feet, thus cooked, are excellent, as is also the 

 trunk, which very much resembles buff^alo's tongue. 

 The reason why such large fires are requisite is owing 

 to tl e mass of the flesh that must be baked. In rak- 

 ing tne sand on the foot, the natives are careful not to 

 rake the red-hot embers in with it, which would burn 

 and destroy the meat; whereas the sand or earth pro- 

 tects it, imparting an even and steady heat. When 

 the natives have cut up the elephant, and removed the 

 large masses of flesh, &c., to their respective temporary 

 kraals around, they sit down for a little to rest and 

 draw their breath, and for a short time smoking and 

 snuffing are indulged in. 



The Bechuana pipe is of a very primitive description, 

 differing from any I had ever seen. When they wish 

 to smoke they moisten a spot of earth, not being par- 

 ticular whence they obtain the water. Into this earth 

 they insert a green twig, bent into a semicircle, whoso 

 bend is below the said earth, and both ends protruding. 

 They then knead the moist earth down with their 

 knuckles on the twig, which they work backward and 

 forward until a hole is established, when the twig is 

 withdrawn, and one end of the aperture is enlarged with 

 the fingers, so as to form a bowl to contain the tobacco. 

 The pipe is thus finished and ready for immediate use, 

 when tobacco and fire are introduced, and the smoker 

 drops on his knees, and, resting on the palms of his 

 hands, he brings his lips in contact with the mud at 

 the small end of the hole, and thus inhales the grateful 



