186 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



the Diamond-fields to the interior, we overtook a great 

 many aborigines of different nationalities returning to 

 their homes. While traversing the country of the Boers 

 these poor creatures do not feel particularly safe ; for 

 there is a law in existence in the Transvaal, by which a 

 native who cannot give a satisfactory account of himself 

 may be seized, brought before the Llandroost, and fined 

 or compelled to work, as the worthy magistrate may 

 deem best. Thus several attached themselves to me, 

 giving their services in return for food and protection. 

 From this cause I obtained a fine stalwart handsome 

 Macalaca for foreloper. 



However, I soon found that he was not suited to the 

 work; for he had purchased a gun at "the Fields," 

 which was so dear to him that he could not lay it aside, 

 and, believing in the old saying, " Loaded or not she's 

 dangerous," I put him to another task, namely, that of 

 " herd " and assistant-hunter, while a more disreputable - 

 looking member of his tribe was installed as foreloper. 



This Macalaca race are a strange people. They are 

 generally tall, well-formed, and yet they are reported 

 to be consummate thieves, fearful cowards, and skilful 

 workers in iron. If you ask a native who happens to 

 possess either an assegai or hoe, " Who made that ? " the 

 answer invariably is, " Macalaca." They are now vassals 

 of the Matabele, who ride over them with a rough-shod 

 foot, getting from them one year the very weapons with 

 which they murder them the next. Their pilfering 

 qualities I scarcely expected to be put in operation, for 

 they were too much in my power to run such risks; and 

 Master Umganey, whose duties kept him always with 

 the wagon, aware of the weakness of these heroes, never 

 ceased to watch their movements most sedulously. 



