CAFFER FEAST. 15 



narrow tracks which are formed by the Caffers as 

 they pass singly on their journeys, is calculated 

 to strengthen the supposition of a thinly-peopled 

 district. It was curious to observe how scrupulously 

 these beaten paths seemed to shun too near an ap- 

 proach to the thorny trees already noticed ; the zig- 

 zag direction, however, into which they deviated 

 in order to avoid them, gave an additional feature 

 of interest and variety to the landscape. 



We crossed the river Kubeka, and passing one 

 of the kraals belonging to Enno, another chief of 

 the nation, came abruptly upon a party of Habanna's 

 Caffers, who had just slaughtered an ox, the man- 

 ner of which employment had imparted to them 

 an appearance and expression well calculated to 

 startle a stranger. The practice employed in kill- 

 ing their cattle is as barbarous as their method of 

 cooking is revolting. The ox being thrown upon 

 its back, and secured with thongs, an incision is 

 made through, the integument below the sternum ; 

 the hand is then introduced, and the vital parts of 

 the agonized beast are wrenched asunder with a 

 brutal violence most distressing to witness. Such 

 is often the multitude, both canine and human, as- 

 sembled at these scenes of slaughter, that, instead 

 of any provision being laid by for future wants, 

 every morsel disappears within a few hours after 

 the animal expires, many a steak being cut from 

 its flesh with the assagai before life has become 



