2 TALES OF A NOMAD. 



would be in Europe at one mile with the aid of field- 

 glasses. 



It is evening, and troops of graceful roebuck are 

 cropping the shoots of herbage and lazily twitching 

 their tails, as with the dainty, stiff-kneed action peculiar 

 to antelope they stalk down to the river in Indian file 

 for their evening drink. The flocks of guinea-fowl are 

 beginning to crrrruck-cuck-cuck-crrrruck, and the bush 

 pheasant gives his discordant plaintive call as he prepares 

 to roost. 



But why are the guinea-fowl suddenly silent, and why 

 do the pallahs, giving one spring sideways, stand rooted 

 with astonishment for five seconds, and then airily bound 

 away in alarm ? 



Well they may, for since the hills first in order stood 

 no such sound has ever disturbed the solitudes through 

 which old Olifant flows as the pealing notes of the bugle 

 which now strike upon the ear. 



There amongst the bushes are rows of white bell tents, 

 from which men are now issuing. They are clad in blue 

 shirts, cord breeches, field-boots., and soft broad-brimmed 

 felt hats, and have a hardy, tanned look. Each carries 

 a currycomb and danderbrush and has a nosebag slung 

 over his arm, and, albeit unshaven, they seem a service- 

 able body of men. 



They fall in on the markers in section column by the 

 left at quarter distance. The roll is called, and then 

 they break off and go towards their horses, which are 

 picketed in ranks, and which display by their whinnying 

 that they know the hour for feeding as well as the men 

 do. 



" Halt ! who comes there ? " shouts a sentry. Two 

 minutes later a couple of almost naked Basuto Caffres 



