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DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



us a visit, his object being to get one of us to 

 go and see his sick wife. Although in dread of 

 the filthy state of the kraal, I consented. (Perhaps 

 I should here say that all these people consider 

 white men are born skilled in medicine.) Well, 

 we trudged up the hill, entered the enclosure, and, 

 through a very diminutive door, glanced into the 

 dark interior of a hut. Scarcely had I done so, 

 when such a storm of flies greeted me, that I was 

 compelled to withdraw. I have seen these plagues 

 numerous in many places, but this occasion beat 

 all past experiences. If the Egyptians had had 

 these loathsome and troublesome insects sent to 

 them in such quantities, I wonder, instead of letting 

 the Israelites go, they did not kick them out incon- 

 tinently. I am always walling to do an act of 

 kindness I may say more, I desire it ; but enter 

 that hut I could not, unless these filthy insects were 

 entirely removed or much reduced in numbers. 

 Fortunately, my Hottentot was with me to interpret 

 to the old chief my objection to go inside. I 

 feared for a moment that the veteran would be 

 offended ; but not he. The old man comprehended 

 the situation in an instant, and gravely, but politely, 

 requested me to remain. Then, whistling, in a few 

 seconds a youngster presented himself, who received 

 a message, and departed forthwith, through mud 

 and filth, at a pace worthy of a professional runner. 

 About the time I had finished a pipe, half a dozen 



