252 UNPLEASANT NEIGHBOURS. 



rest, and all one's losses are regained, and disappointments 

 recovered. Hurrah for the desert ! 



While riding about near some kraals, not far from 

 M'untu Umcuhr's, I saw a very fine herd of Zulu cattle ; 

 they are beautiful little creatures, looking more as though 

 they were a cross between an antelope and a cow than 

 merely common cattle. I approached them to have a 

 nearer look, when they seemed equally disposed to stare 

 at me. We stood thus for about a minute, when two or 

 three young bulls came forward quite close to me ; others 

 followed, the first advanced, more came in front of them, 

 and I found that I was getting regularly hemmed in by 

 these curious gentlemen. I therefore turned tail, and 

 walked quietly away ; they followed me rapidly, coming in 

 the most impertinent manner with their horns within a 

 foot or two of my legs. I shouted at them, but it merely 

 seemed to raise their anger, as they stamped furiously; 

 they were evidently unaccustomed to receive white men 

 with courtesy. I saw they were working themselves up for 

 mischief, so dropped the spur into the horse and rode for 

 it, when they came after me at once, leaping and prancing 

 with their tails erect. I really began to think it was no 

 joke, and that I should have had to put a bullet through one 

 of their heads as an example. As, however, such a proceed- 

 ing would very likely have embroiled me with the Kaffirs, 

 I rode on. I saw an old Kaffir in a mealie garden at a short 

 distance, so rode towards him and shouted; he rushed 

 down to meet me, and waving his skin cloak, gave some 



