TAME SPRING-SUCKS. 187 



From the road, during the latter part of the treck, 

 I shot two spring-bucks and one bless-buck, welcome 

 additions to our larder, especially as there were so many 

 tramps on the road, all of whom, by common consent, 

 expect the Englishman to supply their wants. Wil- 

 lingly they come and cluster round me, and ask me 

 for food, but a Boer they would not think of going near. 

 The reason of this may be that at the Diamond-fields 

 they have become familiarised with our race, and found 

 them generous, while their experiences of the Dutch 

 have taught them the reverse. Then among the Boers 

 that curse slavery exists, and naturally those who 

 practise it must be viewed with anything but loving 

 eyes by those who are the sufferers. 



At this farm, where we outspanned, the people ap- 

 peared a tolerably good sort; they sent me a present 

 of milk and green corn, both most acceptable, and I was 

 able to purchase from them about fifty pounds of beltong 

 (generally antelope flesh rubbed with salt and dried in 

 the sun), to which I had become very partial. The 

 beltong was brought to the wagon by an aged frow, 

 very stout, and almost swarthy enough to be taken for 

 a native ; but she had a kindly eye, and a happy, good- 

 tempered expression of countenance. 



As attendants following her were three tame spring- 

 bucks, evidence that these graceful creatures knew her 

 through her kindness; and however I dislike a person, 

 hate their character, despise their meanness, if I am 

 aware or see an evidence in them of affection to 

 animals, I know that they are not all bad, that there 

 is some redeeming quality about them. Very much to 

 my annoyance, Bonte and Bob, followed by the whole 

 pack, jumped off in pursuit. I called, whistled, and 



