A SCRIMMAGE. 285 



has succumbed ; more ! among some of the tribes, if a 

 man or woman gets so injured, they are deemed to 

 be ever afterwards unclean, and are expelled by their 

 people into perpetual banishment. 



For the better protection of my camp, and to obtain 

 a little privacy, I had made a strong fence around it 

 of the most formidable prickly shrubs that could be 

 collected. In spite of this, during my absence, 

 several of the Macalacas had intruded beyond the for- 

 bidden boundary, and had given abundant proofs that 

 pilfering was the object of this outrage. One of my 

 forelopers, assisted by the boy that looked after the 

 dogs, attempted to argue with them on the impro- 

 priety of their conduct, but as such a mild course was 

 unavailing, they resorted to stronger means, when 

 both got most seriously mauled, the first named 

 receiving in the scrimmage a blow on the head from 

 a knobkeerie that would have scattered the brains 

 of anything but a nigger's. 



I insisted that the culprit should be given up, but 

 my eloquence and vehemence were thrown away ; in 

 consequence, I explained that the first stranger that 

 came within my enclosure without invitation would 

 be dealt with as if he were the offender. Even this 

 threat did not restrain the worthless crew, so I told 

 William and his staff to have their keeries handy, 

 watch me, and when I gave the signal, go at the 

 intruders. The Massara said he would keep beside 

 me, as my special guard, for it was as likely as not 

 that one of the scoundrels would throw a club or 

 assegai at me when the melee commenced. Hostili- 

 ties were precipitated by the foreloper stating that 

 one of the fellows now in camp, and who had for 

 some time made himself most objectionable by his 

 excessive officiousness, was the man who struck him. 

 Such a chance was not to be lost. I caught William's 

 eye, and quietly told him at all risks to secure the 

 culprit In a moment he issued his instructions to 



