HILL CATTLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



was engaged in a game of romps with, its mother, or 

 poking about looking for vermin. Never was there a 

 more affectionate child or parent ; but however much the 

 mother loved her offspring, in exactly that ratio it was 

 hated by all its companions. For some unseen cause 

 some of the other dogs would make a dash at it, when it 

 would sing out, bringing the mother to the rescue, like 

 a lioness robbed of her whelps. This puppy was 

 disposed to be very friendly with me, indeed so was its 

 dam; but I would have thought more than twice 

 before I had dared to flog it. The black bitch was 

 a great favourite with Umganey, and always accom- 

 panied him when herding; bub he was so kind to 

 the animals an unusual thing among Kaffirs that this 

 did not surprise me, more particularly when he told 

 William that it came from his country, his own home 

 on the Umpholosi. 



From daybreak to eleven o'clock we worked like 

 slaves, and so little had we done that I resolved to go 

 forward and look for aid, particularly as there was no sign 

 of the approach of our Boers. Mounting the chestnut 

 horse, that had done little or no work lately, I cantered 

 over some fine upland covered with droves of cattle, 

 from whose manner and hostile appearance I should 

 imagine they see very little of their owners or "herds." 

 One grand bull seemed much disposed to dispute with 

 me the right of road, but a yell and a crack of my whip 

 put him to flight. I believe you seldom find cattle 

 savage in Africa: something in the air, or breeding, 

 or early handling, appears to counteract that disposition. 

 Talking a few years ago to a Scotch gentleman on the 

 subject of Ayrshire cattle, he informed me that it was 

 almost impossible to keep the bulls of this breed after 



