16 CAFFER FEAST. 



extinct. On the present occasion, it appeared from 

 the numbers assembled, that some previous intima- 

 tion must have been received of the intended carousal, 

 particularly as other CafFers were still to be seen 

 descending from the neighbouring hills — 



" With that keen second scent of death 

 By which the vulture snuffs his food 

 In the still warm and living breath ! " 



Our unexpected arrival produced some cessation 

 of their gastronomic feats, which were, however, 

 speedily resumed after a brief inquiry through our 

 interpreter, whence we came, and what was the 

 object of our journey. Near the carcass of the ox a 

 fire had been kindled for the preparation of a stew, 

 composed of the animal's feet with a proportion 

 of his entrails, just as they had been withdrawn from 

 the body. We received a pressing invitation to par- 

 take of the feast, which it ill accorded with our 

 appetites to accept ; nevertheless, in order to gratify 

 their wishes rather than our own, we tasted a portion 

 of meat which had been broiled over the embers, 

 and, distributing among them a few beads and other 

 trifles, we exchanged good wishes, and continued our 

 course*. Such is the avidity with which the natives 



" Four camels knocked up during this day's march : on such occa- 

 sions, the Arabs wait in savage impatience, in the rear, with their 

 knives in their hands, ready on the signal of the owner to plunge them 

 into the poor animal, and tear off a portion of the flesh for their even- 

 ing meal. We were obliged to kill two of them on the spot, the other 

 two, it was hoped, would come up in the night. I attended the 



