272 SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
them, but, if shrewd, which they generally 
are, they soon succeed in getting the chief so to 
commit himself in their atrocities, that he is 
held, henceforth, quite in their power. Some- 
times, however, in their anxiety to effect this, 
they overreach themselves, as was the case 
about a year ago, in Umhalla's tribe, where the 
"atnapakati" discovered a witch-doctor trying 
to implicate the chief; which fact, the instant 
it was made known to Umhalla, he at once con- 
demned, and, notwithstanding the awe and 
dread in which the hoary old wretch was held 
by all around, he burnt him to death before 
the assembled tribe. 
The various modes in which these creatures 
practise their craft, are, of course, multitudi- 
nous; but the most effective and favourite, 
though most revolting, of their avocations, is 
that of "smelling out" the witch, which is thus 
described. If, at any time, a Kaffir should be- 
come the object of envy or jealousy to his 
chief, in consequence of his cattle increasing 
too rapidly ; or from fear of his opposition and 
influence, should he be permitted to grow too 
rich ; or, from cupidity, the chief then sends for 
the witch-doctor, and tells him privately that he 
wishes to "eat up," i. e., to kill this man, and 
,to possess himself of his cattle. He promises a 
proportionable reward and fee to the doctor 
