A NOVEL WAY TO EXPEL FLIES. 123 



of the stupid, long-legged, and extremely docile 

 Kaffir sheep were driven into the compound. Each 

 of these animals in rotation was caught, and 

 plastered over with the thick soured milk of which 

 all the natives are so fond. Then the animals were 

 driven to the door of the hut, and there retained 

 by a dwarf herd boy, while several others, with 

 the old man at their head, entered the domicile, 

 each armed with a branch of brush, and, from the 

 noise that was heard to proceed from the interior, 

 it was apparent that the flies were getting " fits." 

 The insects came forth from the door like a swarm 

 of bees, not to depart in peace, but to alight in such 

 masses upon the unfortunate quadrupeds outside as 

 to make each of them, if not absolutely black, quite 

 a pepper and salt colour. I will not say that the 

 sheep liked being treated in this way, but they 

 submitted to the inevitable. Thus, being utilized, 

 they were slowly driven off, bearing upon their 

 bodies their living freight. Soon after, I entered ; 

 and although I cannot say that no flies remained, 

 they were sufficiently reduced to permit me to 

 inspect the old lady without inconvenience. Poor 

 old woman ! the most skilful medical man could 

 have done nothing for her. She was literally worn 

 out with age, and but a few days remained before 

 she would join the great majority. Yet the first 

 thing she demanded was tobacco and snuff, both 

 of which I was able to supply her with, when her 



