BOER ENCAMPMENT. 177 



decidedly a dangerous pursuit. It may nevertheless 

 be followed) to a certain extent, with comparative safe- 

 ty by those who have naturally a turn for that sort of 

 thing. A recklessness of death, p3rfect coolness and 

 self-possession, an acquaintance w^ith the disposition 

 and manners of lions, and a tolerable knowledge of the 

 use of the rifle, are indispensable to him who would 

 shine in the overpoweringly exciting pastime of hunt- 

 ing this justly celebrated king of beasts. 



CHAPTER X. 



Boer Encampment — ^A Night in a. Storm — A Fancy Costume — Fear- 

 ful Encounter with a Lioness — " Oolesberg" dreadfully mangled^ 

 Cowardice of Hottentots — We march back to Oolesberg — Danger of 

 being plundered by the Rebel Boers — Anival at Colesberg — The 

 Troops march against the Boers — The Battle of Schwart Coppice — 

 Start for the distant Land of Elephants— The Hottentots make free 

 with my Brandy, and mulmy — Leopards — Kurumau — Mr. Moffat, 

 the good Missionary — Boasted Locusts. 



On the 22d of March I rode south to a distant farm, 

 for the double purpose of obtaining some corn or meal, 

 and of hearing the news of the impending war between 

 the Boers and Griquas. On reaching the farm, I fbimd 

 that a large party of Boers were here encamped to- 

 gether : they had mustered for mutual protection. 

 Their tents and wagons were drawn up on every side 

 of the farm-house, forming a very lively appearance. 

 The Boers informed me that all their countrymen, and 

 also the Griquas, were thus packed together in " la- 

 gers" or encampments, and that hostilities were about 

 to commence. They remonstrated with me on what 

 H2 



