SOUTHERN AFRICA. 69 
most nations. Strong prejudices existed against it when first it 
was introduced into England, where the privation of it at this 
time would be one of the greatest calamities that could befal 
the country. The same reasons which prevent them from breed- 
ing hogs operate against their keeping poultry : these w^ould 
require grain, and this labor. Of wild fowl, such as ducks and 
geese, they can procure in most parts of the country almost any 
quantity, at the expence of a little powder and shot. The larger 
kind of game, however, are generally the objects of the Dutch 
farmers. They have penetration enough to calculate that the 
same quantity of powder required to kill a duck will bring 
down an antelope. Of this tribe of deer, that species men- 
tioned in a former Chapter under the name of the spring-bok, 
is met with on the plains of Camdeboo in such vast numbers 
as are almost incredible. A thorough-bred sportsman will kill 
from twenty to thirty every time he goes out. This, however, 
he usually does by a kind of poaching. He lies concealed 
among the thickets near the springs or pools of water, to 
which the whole herd, towards the close of the day, repair 
to quench their thirst, and by discharging among them his 
enormous piece loaded with several bullets, he sometimes 
brings down three or four at a ftiot. Ostriches we met with 
on the same plains in great plenty, and often refreshed our 
whole company Avith the spoils of their nests. 
On the twelfth, in the space of twenty miles, we saw only 
two farm-houses, one of which was deserted from scarcity of 
water; and the following day we also passed two habitations. 
Having crossed the Sunday river nine times since our depar- 
ture from GraafF Reynet, and every time in great danger of 
