208 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
their hand, and aiming at the object, they throw 
it, giving it, at the same time, a twirling mo- 
tion, so as to make it revolve in the air, until the 
thin point strikes the ground first, a few feet 
short of the object, the knob thus being made 
to come in contact with it as it starts. They 
use this stick with great precision, seldom fail- 
ing to strike what they aim at, and frequently 
killing a very small bird, snake, or animal, at 
an incredible distance. Unless, however, they 
have two "Jcerries" with them, they do not, 
generally, throw it at a snake, but reserve it in 
their hand till within reach of the reptile, and 
then, by one certain blow, they stun it. 
They also use their " kerries " for a kind of 
manly exercise, similar to our old Saxon quar- 
ter-staff. For this purpose they employ two 
sticks ; using one, held in their left hand, for 
parrying and guarding their adversary's blows; 
whilst, with another in their right, they vi- 
gorously attack and strike him. When well 
played, it is very graceful. Their principal of- 
fensive weapon, however, is the " assegai." This 
is a kind of thin light javelin, the blade of which 
is about half an inch wide, grooved similarly 
to the bayonet, the point very sharp, it also 
springs from a quadrangular iron shaft, which 
is barbed at the angles. These are set in 
a round wooden handle, of about half an inch 
