VICINITY OF THE UMGANIE. 91 



We were going so fast that we could not pull up, and 

 went past between the animal and the sea ; so that before 

 we could return it had gained the water, and, taking a look 

 at us, dived and disappeared. Had I had my gun with me, 

 I could have stalked to a spot within thirty yards of it, by 

 means of the sand-hills near the beach, and a couple of 

 bullets would no doubt have made us better acquainted. 

 I described this animal to several people, but none had 

 seen a creature like it. The Kaffirs had seen the spoor 

 before, but had no name by which to designate it.* 



The country across the Umganie river was thickly 

 wooded, but inland it was either open, or of that park- 

 like description so common in many parts of Africa. 

 About eight miles across this river an English settler 

 lived, who had frequently asked me to put up at his house 

 in case I went for a day's shooting in his neighbourhood. 

 I usually preferred availing myself of some Kaffir's kraal ; 

 as the wild uncivilized native I found more agreeable 

 company than the general class of English or Dutch 

 emigrants : the naked savage was frequently the more 

 gentlemanly fellow of the two. In the present instance, 

 however, my host was an exception; he was an unassuming, 

 hard-working man, and I accepted his proffered offer of a 

 shake-down, with thanks. 



I sent on one of my Kaffirs with my shooting-pony the 

 previous day, and at daybreak, on a lovely morning in 

 October, started from my tent for a day's sport in this 

 district. I had scarcely ridden half a mile from our 



* I have since seen descriptions and paintings of a sea-lion that 

 frequents some islands to the north-west of the Cape, and am inclined to 

 think that this creature was a traveller of that species. 



