88 
THE BUSHMEN 
labor could we get a space cleared at one side for tbe watei 
to oozo through and collect in for tho oxen. 
At Kapesh we came among our old friends the Bushmen, 
under Horoye. This man, Horoye, a good specimen of 
that tribe, and his son Mokantsa, and others, woro at least 
six feet high, and of a darker color than tho Bushmen ol 
the south. They have always plenty of food and water ; 
and, as they frequent tho Zouga as often as tho game in 
company with which they live, their life is very different 
from that of tho inhabitants of the thirsty plains of the 
Kalahari. 
Ihoso among whom wo now woro kill many elephants, 
and, when tho moon is full, choose that time for tho chase, 
on account of its coolness. Hunting this animal is the 
best test of courage this country affords. Tho Bushmen 
choose tho moment succeeding a charge, when the ele- 
phant is out of breath, to run in and give him a stab with 
their long-bladcd spears. In this case the uncivilized have 
the advantage over us; but I believe that, witli half their 
training, Englishmen would boat the Bushmen. 
At Maila wo spent a Sunday with Kaisa, tho head-man 
of a village of Mashona, who had fled from the iron sway 
of Mosilikatse, whoso country lies oast of this. I wished 
him to take charge of a packot of letters for England, to 
be forwarded whon, as is tho custom of tho Bamangwato, 
tho Bechuanas como hither in search of skins and lood 
among the Bushmen; but he could not bo made to compro 
bend that there was no danger in tho consignment. 
feared the responsibility and guilt if any thing should hap- 
pen to them; so I had to bid adieu to all hopo of letting 
my family hear of my welfaro till I should roach tho west 
coast. 
At Unku we came into a tract of country which had 
been visited by refreshing showers long before, and every 
spot was covered with grass run up to seed, and tho flowoff 
of tho forest were in full bloom. Instoad of the droary 
prospect around Koobe and Nchokotsa, we had here a do 
