280 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
tolled above the clouds, loaded with gifts and 
presents, and become the objects of peculiar 
honors. If, however, they fail, in bringing a 
visit from the element ; then they feign sick- 
ness, and internal pain, they swallow reptiles, 
such as frogs, lizards, chameleons, and taking 
an emetic, they disgorge them before the tribe, 
and then, asserting that some one has bewitched 
the clouds, and him as their chief or u uJcurn- 
Icani" he has recourse to the " witch-doctor," 
whose services then come into requisition, in 
u smelling out " who is the transgressor in this 
instance. 
On these occasions, they generally fix on 
some person, whom they either dislike them- 
selves personally, or one who is known by them 
to be obnoxious to the chief; and as confiscation 
of cattle only, and not death, is the punishment 
in these cases, they thus succeed in effectually 
averting popular indignation from themselves, 
and in turning its tide upon their enemies, or 
the substitutes for them. Beside this, before 
the ceremonial of the " witch-doctor" is brought 
to a close, and another renewed attempt of his 
own has been performed, very possibly a suffi- 
cient period of time may have elapsed, to bring 
round another thunder-storm, or shower of rain, 
and so to provide materials for the re-establish- 
ment of his professional celebrity. 
