162 CAFFER HUTS. 



which I lay for some time in a state of complete 

 exhaustion, ere I was sufficiently recovered to return 

 to the tent, creating no small surprise by my unex- 

 pected appearance. 



Strolling about in the morning by the river-side 

 we came to a small cluster of huts in a picturesque 

 situation, commanding from their elevated site an 

 extensive view of this magnificent stream. It ap- 

 peared that these huts were the temporary residence 

 of a few CafFers, who were detained from their fami- 

 lies on the opposite shore, in consequence of the 

 swollen state of the river, which their inexperience 

 as swimmers prevented them from attempting to 

 cross. They seemed very anxious for the water to 

 abate, in order that they might return to their 

 children, who sometimes appeared on the other side, 

 when the shouting between the two portions of the 

 divided family was tremendous. These people pos- 

 sessed a few goats, the milk of which, with a little 

 millet, appeared to be their only support. The view 

 altogether of these rude huts on the bank-side, in- 

 terspersed with luxuriant shrubs and blossoming 

 flowers — the goats browsing in their vicinity — the 

 broad and majestic river winding rapidly beneath — 

 the groups of anxious children on the one side and 

 of impatient parents on the other — the screaming of 

 the former, and the wild gestures of the latter — clad 

 in their beast-skin kaross — all imparted an effect to 

 the scene singularly novel and romantic. 



