THE BUSHMEN. 159 



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, which Fleming 

 thought was a kind of betel ; the tree is a fine large spread- 

 ing 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 re- 

 marked that the women could always take care of them- 

 selves. 



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

 unlikely to recover ; and Kibopechoe, my willing Mok- 

 wain, 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 their recovery, we moved along as much as we could, 

 and came to the hill N'gwa (lat. 18 2j' 20" S., long. 24 

 13' -$6" K.). 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 occultation and other observa- 

 tions. 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, surrounded by forest trees of various hues, had a 

 little stream meandering 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 astonishment at the 

 intruders. Some fed carelessly, and others put on the 

 peculiar air of displeasure which these animals sometimes 

 assume before they resolve on flight. A large white 

 rhinoceros came along the bottom of the valley with his 

 slow sauntering gait without noticing us ; he looked as if 



