248 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



England), cold springbok haunch, cold koorhaan — 

 one of the bustards — steaming coffee, goat's milk, 

 delicious hot " cookies " of Boer meal, springbok 

 biltong, sliced into the most delicately thin shavings 

 by the carpenter's plane. Biltong, especially of the 

 springbok {i.e., flesh slightly salted and dried to the 

 consistency almost of horn), when sliced in this 

 way forms a most appetising relish, and is a most 

 nourishing commissariat article keeping, although 

 uncooked, always fresh. The Boers, in their 

 hunting expeditions and their war commandos 

 and forays, invariably use it, for it occupies little 

 space, does not require cooking, and is always 

 ready for eating. Then there is store of fragrant 

 wild honey, taken from the neighbouring rocks of 

 Witteberg, and to crown the repast luscious stewed 

 peaches, with plenty of sweet goat's milk to wash 

 them down ; tomatoes and lettuces impart an 

 air of Arcadian grace to the board. Talk to me 

 of the discomforts and hardships of the Cape ! 

 With a little trouble, a little forethought, many a 

 delicacy now unknown to the farmer's table might 

 give zest to many a jaded palate. What a 

 difference, this snowy cloth and bountiful table, 

 spread though it is in the wilderness, to the filthy 

 board, the everlasting greasy mutton swimming in 

 sheep's tail fat, of the average up-country Boer. 

 How we enjoyed that meal ! Memories of it, 

 tender and fragrant as aromatic karroo shrubs after 

 the rain showers, still linger with me. 



Breakfast over, and the little tame vaal rhebok, 

 that trots so gracefully round the table pushing 

 its soft moist muzzle into one hand and another, 

 propitiated with offerings of bread and sugar, we 



