62 
July 2^th. Sunday, Crossed the river on a pony in the 
afternoon to reconnoitre, but found no difference in the 
ground, so determined to keep our own side. E. tried to 
make a plum pudding, using the fat of the waterbuck as 
suet, but the latter was cold in one's mouth before we could 
eat it, though anything in the pudding line was most 
acceptable. We have now been travelling about a week, 
but, owing to one reason and another, we have got over 
very little ground. Our course has been east by a little 
north, at least the river has led us in that direction, and 
this is our only guide, for none of our Caffres know the 
country. 
July 2\st, Started at 8-30, and struck away into the 
bush to cut off a bend in the river. Shot a bushbuck on 
the march, and after getting into camp I hunted again, 
and coming across two buck koodoos I killed them both 
with a right and left from the Express. Was much 
pleased, and hastened back to camp to send out the 
Caffres for the meat before it grew dark. I also had a 
shot at some zebra, but couldn't kill one. The Caffres 
gave us a specimen of their eating powers at last, as the 
koodoo meat was excellent ; and though they had a good 
deal of lost time to make up, they ate enough to carry 
them on a good bit further as well as clear off old scores. 
I have been much astonished at the (what to me is almost 
miraculous) instinct the Caffres possess, enabling them 
invariably to hit off the camp. I never think of stirring 
without one, or I should be always lost, as, even if I 
could find the river, I should not know if the camp were 
up or down ; but these fellows literally walk straight on 
the tents when one gives the word to go to camp, although 
they may have only arrived at the place two or three hours 
previously, and never been in the country before ; and I 
never knew them make a mistake. One ridge to me was 
exactly like another, and we could seldom see any distance ; 
