5<D TALES OF A NOMAD. 



leaving, he recalled me and made a complaint, to wit : 

 " Two of my wives ran away into Natal. I sent four fat 

 oxen to the Border agent, with a request that he would 

 be good enough to return my wives. He declined to do 

 so, saying that having taken refuge under the British 

 flag, my wives were now British subjects, and it was 

 not in his power to return them to me. I consider this 

 to be very discourteous. Had any of his wives run 

 away from him and come to me, I would have returned 

 them at once, without waiting for him to send me his 

 compliments and a present of cattle." 



It is a hopeless task to attempt to overcome Caffre 

 prejudices. 



The next morning, just as we were preparing to resume 

 our journey, the head- man of the village came and sat 

 down before me. He stated that he wished to consult 

 me on a matter that was very near his heart, and hoped 

 that I should not be offended. 



I naturally thought that it must be very important, 

 and begged him to make me his confidant. After much 

 circumlocution, he very diffidently asked me to give him 

 three charges of gunpowder. I granted his request 

 readily, and by the expression of his face he seemed 

 sorry that he had not asked me for more while he was 

 about it. 



Caffres are inveterate beggars. They are just like 

 children, and ask you to give them anything they take 

 a fancy to. 



We travelled all that day, and on the next day began 

 to get into the koodoo country. Two troops of koodoo 

 cows and young bulls crossed our path, but as none of 

 them carried good heads I would not fire. Towards 

 the evening as we were approaching our camping ground, 



