SPORT IN MOZAMBIQUE 



quits its perch, departs with an undulating flight,, 

 and again settles, continuing this manoeuvre till the 

 end of its course. There it alight s^on the tree which 

 conceals the coveted treasure; if, however, the bees 

 have made their habitation underground, it selects 

 the nearest dead tree. Then it changes its call. It 

 is an appeal fairly sweet, and high-pitched, which 

 seems to say, "It is there, it is there." A minute's 

 examination serves to reveal the entrance of the 

 hive ; and little fire and plenty of smoke drive out 

 the provident workers, the orifice is enlarged with a 

 hatchet to a sufficient extent for the extraction of the 

 treasures, and the larvae are thrown to the little guide, 

 upon which it makes a feast. 



The honey-guide is accompanied by a species of 

 ratel, commonly called the honey-bear. 1 The latter 

 has not at its disposal the means of making the 

 fire which serves those who want to attack a hive, 

 but it possesses powerful claws, and a hide of which 

 the thickness defies the piercing stings. 



It advances to the assault of the hive, amid a cloud 

 of the bees, and extracts and devours the honey, 

 leaving the grubs for its companion. This curious 

 animal is a carnivore, and is feared by the 

 Kafir, who recognises in it a bad character. It is 

 certain that it is not good-tempered ; and eight years 

 ago, during my previous journey, I killed one which 

 charged my men. 



1 The Kafirs call the creature tzere or tchissere. 

 (42) 



