172 THE BUSHMEN. Chap. VIII. 



poisoned arrow-wounds. It is probable that he derived his know- 

 ledge from the natives as I did, and that the reputed efficacy of 

 the balsam is owing to its fatty constituent. 



In cases of the bites of serpents a small key ought to be pressed 

 down firmly on the wound, the orifice of the key being applied to 

 the puncture, until a cupping-glass can be got from one of the 

 natives. A watch-key pressed firmly on the point stung by a 

 scorpion extracts the poison; and a mixture of fat or oil and 

 ipecacuanha relieves the pain. 



The Bushmen of these districts are generally fine well-made 

 men, and are nearly independent of every one. We observed 

 them to be fond of a root somewhat like a kidney potato, and the 

 kernel of a nut, winch Fleming thought was a kind of betel ; the 

 tree is a fine large spreading one, and the leaves palmate. From 

 the quantities of berries and the abundance of game in these 

 parts, the Bushmen can scarcely ever be badly off for food. As 

 I could without much difficulty keep them well supplied with 

 meat, and wished them to remain, I proposed that they should 

 bring their wives to get a share, but they remarked that the 

 women could always take care of themselves. 



None of the men of our party had died, but two seemed 

 unlikely to recover; and Kibopechoe, my willing Mokwain, at 

 last became troubled with boils, and then got all the symptoms 

 of fever. As he lay down, the others began to move about, and 

 complained of weakness only. Believing that frequent change of 

 place was conducive to then recovery, we moved along as much 

 as we could, and came to the hill N'gwa (lat. 18° 27' 20" S., long. 

 24° 13' 36" E.). This being the only hill we had seen since 

 leaving the Bamangwato, we felt inclined to take off our hats to it. 

 It is three or four hundred feet high, and covered with trees. Its 

 geographical position is pretty accurately laid down from occulta- 

 tion and other observations. I may mention that the valley on its 

 northern side, named Kandehy, or Kandehai, is as picturesque a 

 spot as is to be seen in this part of Africa. The open glade, sur- 

 rounded by forest trees of various hues, had a little stream mean- 

 dering in the centre. A herd of reddish-coloured antelopes (pallahs) 

 stood on one side, near a large baobab, looking at us, and ready to 

 run up the hill ; while gnus, tsessebes, and zebras gazed in asto- 

 nishment at the intruders. Some fed carelessly, and others put 



