138 FLOCKS OF SWIFTS.— SACKED CAVE. 



human mind Las remained here as stagnant to the present day, 

 in reference to the physical operations of the universe, as it once 

 did in England. No science has been developed, and few ques- 

 tions are ever discussed except those which have an intimate con- 

 nection with the wants of the stomach. 



Very large flocks of swifts (Cyjpselus opus) were observed flying 

 over the plains north of Kuruman. I counted a stream of them, 

 which, by the time it took to pass toward the reeds of that valley, 

 must have numbered upward of four thousand. Only a few of 

 these birds breed at any time in this country. I have often ob- 

 served them, and noticed that there was no appearance of their 

 having paired ; there was no chasing of each other, nor any play- 

 ing together. There are several other birds which continue in 

 flocks, and move about like wandering gipsies, even during the 

 breeding season, which in this country happens in the intervals 

 between the cold and hot seasons, cold acting somewhat in the 

 same way here as the genial warmth of spring does in Europe. 

 Are these the migratory birds of Europe, which return there to 

 breed and rear their young ? 



On the 31st of December, 1852, we reached the town of Sechele, 

 called, from the part of the range on which it is situated, Litu- 

 baruba. Near the village there exists a cave named Lepelole ; 

 it is an interesting evidence of the former existence of a gushing 

 fountain. No one dared to enter the Lohaheng, or cave, for it 

 was the common belief that it was the habitation of the Deity. 

 As we never had a holiday from January to December, and our 

 Sundays were the periods of our greatest exertions in teaching, 

 I projected an excursion into the cave on a week-day to see the 

 god of the Bakwains. The old men said that every one who 

 went in remained there forever, adding, " If the teacher is so 

 mad as to kill himself, let him do so alone, we shall not be to 

 blame." The declaration of Sechele, that he would follow where 

 I led, produced the greatest consternation. It is curious that in 

 all their pretended dreams or visions of their god he has always 

 a crooked leg, like the Egyptian Thau. Supposing that those 

 who were reported to have perished in this cave had fallen over 

 some precipice, we went well provided with lights, ladder, lines, 

 &c. ; but it turned out to be only an open cave, with an entrance 

 about ten feet square, which contracts into two water-worn 



