THE KAFFIRS' CORN-PITS. 27 



tageous ambuscades, where overwhelming numbers can 

 be at once concentrated on any particular spot. To be 

 completely guarded against these Kaffir surprises is next 

 to impossible, the whole thing being done in a few 

 minutes; and, perhaps, during that short time, two or 

 three spans of oxen are whisked off, which one might 

 as well attempt to follow as to chase clouds. 



If Kaffirs are attacked in the bush, and they find that 

 they are likely to get the worst of the fight, they do not 

 hesitate a moment about retreating. There is no false 

 delicacy with them, and they are away as fast as their 

 legs can carry them to a more secure and distant locality, 

 only to return again on the first convenient opportunity. 



Attacking and destroying their villages inflicts no great 

 loss upon them, for their houses are rebuilt in a few days. 

 The only time when they are likely to suffer is near their 

 harvest season, for their crops then would be destroyed. If 

 they once gather the corn, they soon have it well concealed 

 in holes made for this purpose, which are circular and deep. 



I was nearly terminating my career in a corn-pit at 

 Natal, and was therefore well acquainted with its con- 

 struction. As I was riding round amongst some old 

 deserted kraals looking for bush-pigs, my horse suddenly 

 stumbled ; he partly recovered, and then came down on 

 his head ; I thought he had the staggers, and tried to 

 jump off. I felt him sinking behind me, and as he was 

 struggling, I had great difficulty in getting clear. I had 

 just got my foot out of the stirrup and was throwing my 

 leg over him, when he fell down several feet, with me 

 on the top of him. The whole of this took place in a few 



