A FOREST HOME. 217 



across the mountain, and hunt in its northern limits 

 for a few days. I accordingly started with. Ruyter and 

 four Beohuanas, bearing my bedding, pots, water, and 

 other impedimenta. Having ascended to the upper 

 heights of the mountain, I crossed to its western ridges, 

 and held for its northern limits ; and wh^n the sun went 

 down I halted beneath a green tree, where I slept. 



I made my coffee by moonlight before the day dawn- 

 ed ; and when it was clear, I stalked along the upper 

 ridges of the mountain. Presently, peeping over a 

 rocky and well-wooded ridge, I met a small troop of 

 doe koodoos, one of which I shot for food. Immediate- 

 ly below where this koodoo fell was a lonely kraal of 

 Bakalahari. These men had chosen for their place of 

 residence a wild and most romantic ravine, which here 

 parted the mountain for a distance of about a mile, 

 forming a deep and almost impassable gulf At the 

 upper end of this ravine was a most delicious fountain, 

 forming a strong running stream, which wound along 

 the shady depths of this wild and most secluded spot. 

 When these Bakalahari heard the report of my rifle 

 echoing through their valley, they left their pots upon 

 their fires, and fled to a man. My Bechuanas, howev- 

 er, eventually got them to come back again, and they 

 cut up for me my koodoo, and carried the flesh to a 

 shady tree on, the table summit of this tabular range, 

 immediately above the strong fouritain in the gu'lf be- 

 neath me. 



This spot I had selected to be my forest home for a 

 short time, and here I spent some merry days, and 

 feasted like a prince on fat venison, marrow-bones, Be- 

 chuana corn, Bechuana beer, tea, coffee, biscuit, &o. 

 I was also provided with a rich dessert consisting of a 

 delicious African fruit called " moopooroo," which was 



Vol. II.— K 



