58 SHAM FIGHT. 



fully, was now reduced to a feAV dying embers ; and 

 the vermin of various descriptions that interrupted 

 our repose were almost beyond endurance. Rats and 

 mice seemed perfectly at home, passing and repass- 

 ing through the numerous apertures on all sides of 

 the rush building. In the morning I visited Botu- 

 man's cattle kraal, where his men were busily en- 

 gaged in milking ; the place being distinguished 

 by a lofty pole at the entrance, from which an ele- 

 phant's tail was suspended, — the prevailing ensign 

 of royalty throughout all the border tribes. At my 

 request, Botuman indulged us afterwards by per- 

 mitting his people to exhibit their peculiar mode of 

 warfare, Orders having been given for making 

 the requisite preparations, all who could be collected 

 repaired to a small hut adjoining the Chief's resi- 

 dence, the depository of their martial equipments, 

 and speedily came forth in readiness for action. 

 Their war attire consisted simply of a large shield, 

 called the umkoneto, which was sufficient to cover 

 the whole body, and was borne in the left hand with 

 a number of assagais, one of these javelins being 

 carried in the right, prepared for hurling at the foe. 

 Their heads were encircled with a band fancifully 

 decorated with small beads and quills of the porcupine, 

 and assuming the appearance of a coronet, to each 

 side of which was attached the wing-feathers of 

 the blue crane. Thus armed for the pretended com- 

 bat, they rushed down to the plain with a loud war- 







