60 Becollectwns of Adventures 



We were outspanned for the night at " Crokodil 

 Heuvel" on the Olifant River, when about 30 of 

 Sekukuni's Kaffirs, who were then not on friendly 

 terms with the Boers, came to the wagon and asked 

 what I had on it. I told them to mind their own 

 business, but the wounded Kaffir (who was jumpy), 

 told them that I had a load of powder and lead for 

 the year's elephant hunt. They immediately de- 

 manded some, and got so impudent that I took my 

 rifle and told them that I would shoot anyone 

 coming within a hundred yards. One fellow, I 

 think their head man, would not go, but threatened 

 to kill me, so I lashed him with the long wagon whip 

 and when he saw that I meant business, he followed 

 the others to a stony kopje a few hundred yards off, 

 where they built large fires, blew on their war horns, 

 and shouted threats till nearly morning; but as it 

 was moonlight, did not venture near the wagon. At 

 daylight they crossed the river and I did not see 

 them again, although I expected that they would 

 waylay me in ambush ahead, so kept a keen look 

 out. We got to the Ingumpi River, near Sebidella's 

 location that night, where we were safe, as these 

 Matabele were friendly. Old Jonas, who had 

 relations in the kraals, told his tales to them, and 

 they all agreed that our troubles were the result of 

 my shooting the python with the rooibok in his 

 mouth. I wanted to leave the wounded man here 

 but he would not hear of it, as he was of another 

 tribe, so I had to cart him on in my only wagon. I 

 determined never to travel in the bush veld again 

 with only one wagon. 



While passing through some thick bush, when just 

 leaving Olifant River, some wild pigs frightened 

 the oxen, and they ran the wagon against a tree 

 stem, and cracked the axle which was of assegai 



