JRADOONS LANGUAGE, 



295 



to surpass the tell-tale map that was now before me. 

 His majesty the kin^r of beasts' track appeared so 

 well represented in the sticky soil, that I resolved to 

 have a kraal erected around the waggons, and before 

 the termination of a glorious sunset this was accom- 

 plished, but fortunately it was not required. At 

 midnight I turned out to see that the camp-fires 

 had been sUj plied liberally with fuel, when my ears 

 were greeted with music dear to the hunter^s soul. 

 The beasts that produced most of these sounds I 

 was conversant with ; but every now and again a 

 strange note would be heard, that forced me to seek 

 for information from one of the attendants. 



I love the baboon's deep challenge note, it is so 

 earnest, sonorous, and manly, and doubtless is as well 

 understood by its fellows as we understand each other. 

 How many words they have in their language it 

 would be impossible to say, but whether they be few 

 or numerous, I am fully convinced that they talk to 

 each other. The bushmen are of my be'.-ef on this 

 point, and always appeared to pity my ignorance 

 when I expressed any scepticism on the subject. 



At an early hour I was in the saddle, for the 

 meat of a cow giraffe was required, and that I was 

 resolved to have if possible. My fleetest horse was 

 selected for my mount, and never did he seem to 

 carry himself more gallantly. His heart truly 

 seemed to be in his work, and a kind or cheering 

 word made the affectionate beast arch his lovely 

 neck more gracefully, or press upon his bit as if 

 desirous of proving his speed and endurance. At 

 9 a.m. I descried the game that I sought. By keep- 

 ing a copje between me and it, I could easily get 

 within a hundred yards of the quarry. Soon this 

 space was traversed, and I dismounted to fire. A 

 fat cow was the nearest of the little coterie, and I 

 am not ashamed to own, that great were the qualms 

 of conscience that I felt in taking the beautiful 



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