98 BUSH CRAFT. 



fortunately studied the Zulu language, by books during 

 his vovage out, and by practice since his residence in 

 Africa : we therefore carried on an interesting conversation 

 in this language. It seemed curious that two white men, 

 whose native countries so nearly joined, should be thus 

 compelled to communicate in a tongue so little known in 

 the native land of either; the Kaffirs themselves thought 

 we were doing it merely for their amusement, and sat 

 grinning first at us and then at one another. 



On the following day I shot a reitbok, a duiker, arid 

 three corans. 



Several days of good sport were yielded me in this 

 neighbourhood. I found, however, that the bush close to 

 Natal was teeming with buck, and a buffalo was sometimes 

 seen there. Several unsuccessful journeys after the former 

 taught me that more skill was required in shooting them 

 than I at that time possessed. By patience, perseverance, 

 and the instruction obtained from the Kaffirs, I at length 

 acquired the art of moving with silence and watchfulness 

 through the mazes of the forest, and was then rewarded 

 by first-rate sport, and found this amusement one of the 

 most fascinating in this country. 



I have known many men who were good shots and able 

 sportsmen, fail completely in the bush, from a deficiency 

 in the qualities of patience and caution ; several of whom 

 have gone day after day, and returned, not only empty- 

 handed, but without having seen a single head of game. 

 Yet two or three Kaffirs or Hottentots that I could 

 name would make certain of bagging a fine fat buck each 

 day they devoted to the purpose, and over the very same 



