288 
BOOTSHUANA BUSHMEN. [1820. 
CafFreland, he had seen a shower of hail-stones, 
many of which were larger than a pigeon's egg. 
These not only injured the trees, but killed many 
of the ostriches, which were found dead after the 
shower had passed over. 
About ten a. m. we passed two villages belong- 
ing to the Bootshuana Bushmen ; at the last of 
them we halted for a short time. There were 
about seventy huts, but only nine women and a 
few children at home, all of whom, except three 
women, concealed themselves at first. These 
stood leaning with their backs against a hut, si- 
lently viewing us. They were complete exhibi- 
tions of starvation, and seemed to be under con- 
siderable apprehensions for their safety. One of 
our people asked if he might bring them a little 
rhinoceros' flesh ; we immediately dispatched him 
for some to the waggons. On cutting off two or 
three pounds to each of the three women, I never 
witnessed so sudden a change from the lowest 
depth of depression and agitation to the most ex- 
travagant joy. A criminal receiving a pardon 
under the gallows could not have expressed his 
delight in a more animated manner. The sound 
which they made immediately brought the others 
from their concealment, who rushed towards us 
and begged some flesh also. We gave to each a 
piece of flesh and a little tobacco. They danced 
for a few minutes, and then proceeded to light 
