88 
we found traces of blood upon tlie ground and bushes, we 
never saw them again. It was most provoking, as I was 
extremely anxious to kill one of these enormous and 
extraordinary looking beasts, and this apparently was the 
only district they frequented, as it was the only place 
where we had seen fresh spoor. Shot an impala on the 
road home to camp, where I found E. safely arrived and 
ensconced in our old quarters. Dubois went out in the 
afternoon to kill something for the pot, but was unsuc- 
cessful. 
August 19th. I again went out to look for rhinoceros, 
feeling it was my only chance ; Dubois going in another 
direction, as the Caffres were on short commons. I saw 
two giraffes, but they saw us first, and were too much on 
the look out to allow me to approach them. They are 
splendid looking creatures until they begin to run, when 
they appear most ridiculous and ungainly, owing to their 
peculiar and awkward gait — a horse would easily catch 
them. After some further rambling we found a herd of 
buffalo, and, as usual, the one I wounded ran away by 
himself ; but the Caffres instead of following him up went 
after the main body, hoping to kill one with a random 
shot, and we consequently got none at all. Followed the 
spoor of the herd, and suddenly came across La Mule 
who was out by himself, and had shot one out of the herd 
we were after. I was truly thankful for his luck, as the 
men would get a good feed again. Leaving them to cut 
up the meat I went on to camp with Swartboy, and coming 
across some wild boar I bagged one, the first I had killed, 
though we had seen them occasionally in the bush. I was 
much distressed on reaching camp to find I had lost the 
front sight of my heavy rifle, but with a little patience I 
succeeded in fitting in a piece of wood with which I made 
very fair practice at a mark. It is surprising to me how 
it happens that though I can hit almost a sheet of note 
