A VALUABLE KID. 209 



In total disregard of the Bush-boy's safety, possibly 

 through thoughtlessness, we left the cave and the 

 lad in it, and sought for the animal I had fired at. 

 The reward was a mutilated kid, but not the corpse 

 of its slayer, which carcase was recognised as the 

 property of one of my associates. 



There was grief in the hearts of my companions 

 when they took its body up ; for why ? it was stated 

 to be the flower of their flock, the apple of their eye, 

 the child of their old age. I never thought adult 

 human beings could be so upset by the death of a 

 kid (for I have known people rejoice at the death of 

 near relations), so I commenced to believe that these 

 aborigines possessed feelings of affection infinitely 

 stronger than did the children of civilisation, when 

 lo ! to my surprise, they threw the carcase brutally on 

 one side, made several grimaces and as many panto- 

 mimic actions, pointed to some blood upon the her- 

 bage, and started down the kloof at a steady dog-trot. 



Little cared they for the Bush-boy in the bowels 

 of the earth. But to be charitable, possibly they 

 knew better than I that the youth could take care of 

 himself ; so deserted him, confident in their belief. 

 Not being so well informed on such matters I did 

 not follow the example set me, but returned to my 



