228 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



ture narrated, was full of excitement, and carefully 

 made his plans for to-morrow's campaign ; every 

 villager fit for work was to be pressed into the service, 

 and as to the result, well, he had no doubt upon that 

 point, it was simply bound to be successful, but we 

 will see " Man proposes, God disposes." 



I should mention, by the way, that Cigar has 

 picked up an old acquaintance here. He is a cousin, 

 of course, as he always dubs his friends. But I have 

 come to the conclusion that this endearing appella- 

 tion is employed to make the visitor free of the flesh- 

 pots ; for who ever heard of a Hottentot lacking in 

 hospitality, especially when his employer is the 

 sufferer ? This man is remarkable in appearance for 

 nothing but his ugliness ; but if he receives a true 

 character as a spoorer and hunter, he is second to no 

 one in Africa south of the Zambesi. Judging from 

 the conversation of these two worthies and the time 

 it lasted long after midnight they have gone 

 through some stirring adventures together, when 

 ivory hunting was a profitable business. This in- 

 cessant chattering doubtless kept off the nocturnal 

 prowlers, for not a growl, snarl, or howl disturbed 

 the stillness of the night. 



In the morning Madame Bareekey showed the 

 cloven foot. On our arrival she had supplied us 

 with milk at sixpence a bottle. Through whim, or 

 freak, she now demanded two shillings for the same 

 quantity. Arguing against such extortion is useless ; 



