X8 THE BUSHMEN. 



labor could we get a space cleared at one side for the watei 

 to ooze through and collect in for the oxen. 



At Kapesh we came among our old friends the Bushmen, 

 under Horoye. This man, Horoye, a good specimen of 

 that tribe, and his son Mokantsa, and others, were at least 

 six feet high, and of a darker color than the Bushmen of 

 the south. They have always plenty of food and water ; 

 and, as they frequent the Zouga as often as the game in 

 company with which they live, their life is very different 

 from that of the inhabitants of the thirsty plains of the 

 Kalahari. 



Those among whom we now were kill many elephants, 

 and, when the moon is full, choose that time for the chase, 

 on account of its coolness. Hunting this animal is the 

 best test of courage this country affords. The Bushmen 

 choose the moment succeeding a charge, when the ele- 

 phant is out of breath, to run in and give him a stab with 

 their long-bladed spears. In this case the uncivilized have 

 the advantage over us ; but I believe that, with half their 

 training, Englishmen would beat the Bushmen. 



At Maila we spent a Sunday with Kaisa, the head-man 

 of a village of Mashona, who had fled from the iron sway 

 of Mosilikatse, whose country lies east of this. I wished 

 him to take charge of a packet of letters for England, to 

 be forwarded when, as is the custom of the Bamangwato, 

 the Bechuanas come hither in search of skins and food 

 among the Bushmen; but he could not be made to compre- 

 hend that there was no danger in the consignment. He 

 feared the responsibility and guilt if any thing should hap- 

 pen to them ; so I had to bid adieu to all hope of letting 

 my family hear of my welfare till I should reach the west 

 coast. 



At Unku we came into a tract of country which had 

 been visited by refreshing showers long before, and every 

 spot was covered with grass run up to seed, and the flowers 

 of the forest were in full bloom. Instead of the dreary 

 prospect around Koobe and Nchokotsa, we had here a do- 



