A WELCOME NATIVE, 



225 



of storks, all of which are nocturnal in habits, un- 

 less the weather be particularly stormy and dark. 

 But there are many voices I do not know, it would 

 take a lifetime residence in these parts to learn them 

 all ; but William the driver and his sable cortege 

 c?n instruct me in all the mysteries of this invisible 

 life that surrounds me, and do it without making the 

 most trivial error. 



My cofifee had been just poured out, the time being 

 a few minutes after sunrise, when a handsome, 

 pleasant-featured native walked into camp with the 

 air and grace of a true aristocrat. I called tor a stool 

 and invited him to be seated. This he did — not 

 on the stool — with becoming dignity. William's eye 

 caught mine ; he understood my look, so soon had a 

 " beaker" full of hot, strong, and very sweet cofifee 

 poured out for the stranger. It is surprising the love 

 these aborigines have for this beverage ; how they 

 can have acquired it would be difficult to say, for none 

 but a wealthy chief could afford to purchase it. A 

 nice fat roasted rib of barren cow hartebeest was also 

 handed the unknown : with the blade of his assegai 

 he dexterously severed the meat from the bone, and 

 save that he crammed his mouth full to an .alarming 

 extent, there was nothing to find fault with in his 

 manner of conducting himself at his meal. Having 

 satisfied the wants of the inward man, his tongue 

 became loosened, and it was evident our good 

 treatment disposed him to give us all information 

 on hunting matters that we desired. William, after 

 a time, broached the all-important subject, " Was 

 there any ^ camile' in the neighbourhood ? " 



" A few ; there had been plenty a few days since, 

 but some Griqua hunters had driven them off. 

 However, he had come across j:/i7^;' that morning, and 

 last night, not far from our camp." 



As our visitor was willing to act as guide to the 

 pugs he had seen for a few charges of powder, some 



