THE NAMAQUA SUN-BIKD. 157 



is so powerful that the animal dies almost at once. 

 Then the Bushman takes out the poisoned part, 

 and generally devours the prey before he quits the 

 spot. 



There are some animals whose skin resists the 

 poison; such as the elephant. Then the Bushman 

 makes a pitfall, and covers it with twigs and leaves. 

 Or he goes out some moonlight night armed with 

 his spear, that has a long blade attached to it. 

 One wound alone would have little effect on the 

 elephant, and he could march off with the spear 

 in his body. But the Bushman gives him no rest. 

 He returns to the attack again and again, choosing 

 the moment when the elephant is out of breath, 

 and has just made a furious charge. By degrees, 

 the huge animal gets weak from loss of blood, and 

 falls a victim to the perseverance of his enemy. 



Nothing in the way of food comes amiss to the 

 Bushman. He searches out the nest of the 

 Ostrich, and takes the eggs. 



When this is done, he hides himself, and waits 

 patiently until the monstrous bird comes home. 

 He shoots it with one of his deadly arrows 



