ELEPHANT-HUNTING. 59 



whoop, as if in the act of charging an enemy, and 

 displayed an admirable mimicry of a real conflict. 

 At one time they approached cautiously, as if to 

 survey the position of their foes; at another they 

 suddenly halted, as though taken by surprise ; then 

 again balancing their assagais with a tremulous 

 motion, they sent them quivering through the air ; 

 and afterwards, appearing to signify the return of 

 their opponents to the assault, they covered them- 

 selves with their invulnerable shields of oxhide. The 

 scene was altogether of a most animated description, 

 and well depicted their rude and inefficient system 

 of warfare. At the conclusion of this bloodless en- 

 gagement, I was called upon to remunerate the 

 warriors for their exertions; and was not a little 

 amused at the idea of being solicited by the more 

 inexperienced of the number for an extra present, in 

 consideration of the bruises and scratches which 

 they had inflicted on themselves through awkward- 

 ness in wielding their weapons. After satisfying 

 and putting them all in good humour, we left 

 Botuman's kraal, and having crossed the Keis- 

 kamma, proceeded to the Fish River Bush, where 

 Thackwray, an experienced elephant-hunter, desir- 

 ous of renewing his occupation, had appointed a 

 meeting with the person who generally attended him 

 on these occasions. 



The country in this neighbourhood abounds with 

 romantic scenery : the sides of the lofty mountains 



