82 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



ains, in the depths of which was a strong fountain 

 Sicomy soon made his appearance, and bothered all day; 

 but he did not produce any ivory. At night I watched 

 the fountain in the bold ravine, and shot two old black 

 rhinoceroses, bull and cow, with my smooth bore carry- 

 ing six to the pound. Both of these ran considerable 

 distances, but were found by the natives. Along with 

 the cow borele were two other old bulls, who fought 

 together for three hours alongside of me. 



On the 7th Sicomy made his appearance early, and 

 toward evening bought powder and lead with seven 

 elephants' teeth. Soon after this bargain was con- 

 cluded he ordered men to take away the teeth, and he 

 threw me back the powder ; but on my kicking back the 

 powder, and swearing I would shoot the first man who 

 touched the ivory, he relinquished the idea. 



On the succeeding day Sicomy prowled about the 

 vagons all day, and bothered me so that I at last lost 

 my temper, and swore at him. The natives held a con- 

 sultation for a few minutes, which ended by their say- 

 ing that they were all going to leave m'e. I said that 

 T was'happy to hear it. They then decamped to a 

 man ; but in an hour four of my old acquaintances ap- 

 peared, and said that the captain wished me to come 

 and see him ; but I replied that I was sick, and going 

 to sleep. In another hour he made his appearance; 

 and on asking him what I had done that he had called 

 all his men away, he replied that they had gone away 

 to have a sleep. Presently Arkwright and Christie 

 ,\jde up to my wagons : theirs were at hand. On the 

 maich they had lost one ox and two horses in pitfalls. 

 At night Arkwright a'nd I watched the v/ater, but did 

 not get a shot. 



On the 9th Sicomy brought me ivory. He asked me 



