i 4 8 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



defining the limits of safety and danger. Nothing, however, 

 would persuade them to take the jump from the bank into- 

 the deep black water. Our friend whistled, and from the 

 fringe of reeds on the opposite side four or five canoes full of 

 men shot across the narrow channel. As they landed they 

 presented the most motley appearance. They had evidently 

 dressed to astonish us. and each bore about his neck or 

 shoulders some article of European manufacture. Here was a 

 fellow with a yard and a half of green baize or red drugget 

 tied with a leathern thong about his throat, the ends streaming 

 away behind him ; another with a yard or two of some cheap- 

 gaudy cloth with a hole cut in the middle, wearing it a la poncho ;. 

 two yards of calico of the commonest adorned the person of a 

 third ; it was a most ridiculous sight, but was evidently considered 

 most impressively overwhelming. Still the cattle resisted our 

 united efforts. At last, a canoe was paddled over to the other 

 side, and in three or four minutes appeared again with a tiny 

 cow and a most diminutive calf as passengers. The little cow 

 was lifted on to the bank, and the canoe paddled back with the 

 calf ; we got our oxen as much together in a lump as we could, 

 close to the river, surrounded them on three sides, loosed the 

 lowing little mother, who instantly took a header into the 

 water, and then by shouting, pushing, and twisting tails induced 

 our oxen to follow the example set them, and they were safe. 

 The horses gave no trouble. 



On questioning these Kafirs and their chief (Sebitoani) 

 afterwards as to the mystery of the fine clothes, this was the 

 interpretation. ' Do you see that little hill ? A number of men 

 with hair like yours and with guns came from the eastwards and 

 sat down on that hill. We sent to ask them what they wanted, 

 and they said " to buy men.'"' We explained we had none to- 

 sell ; it was the first time they had ever come to us, though 

 we had heard of them before. Wouldn't they buy ivory 

 or ostrich feathers ? No, they didn't want anything of that 

 sort ; they had beautiful cloths, which they showed us.' ' I 

 told them,' said Sebitoani, 'that I thought it was an "ugly" thing 



