91 
BUSHMEN'S MODE OP LION-HUNTINO. 
shared with him tho remaining water, half a caskful, and 
went on, with tho intention of coming back for him as 
soon as we should reach tho next pool. Heavy rain now 
commenced; I was employed the whole day in cutting down 
trees, and every stroke of tho axe brought down a thick 
shower on my back, which in the hard work was vory 
refreshing, as tho water found its way down into my shoes 
In the evening we met somo Bushmen, who volunteered 
to show us a pool ; and, having unyoked, I walked some 
miles in search of it. As it bccamo dark they showed 
their politeness — a quality which is by no means confinod 
entirely to tho civilized — by walking in front, breaking tho 
branches which hung across the path, and pointing out the 
fallen trees. On returning to tho wagon, wo found that 
being left alone had brought out somo of Fleming’s energy, 
for ho had managed to come up. 
As tho water in this pond dried up, wo were soon 
obliged to movo again. Ono of tho Bushmen took out his 
dico, and, after throwing them, said that God told him to 
go homo. Ho throw again, in order to show mo tho com- 
mand, but the opposite result followed; so ho remained 
and was usoful, for wo lost tho oxen again by a lion driving 
them off to a very great distance. The lions hero aro not 
often heard. They seem to have a wholesomo dread of tho 
Bushmen, who, when they obsorvo cvidonco of a lion’s 
having made a full meal, follow up his spoor so quietly 
that his slumbers aro not disturbed. Ono discharges a 
poisoned arrow from a distance of only a few feet, while 
his companion simultaneously throws his skin cloak on the 
beast’s head. The sudden surprise makes the lion lose his 
presence of mind, and he bounds away in the greatest con- 
fusion and terror. Our friends here showed mo the poison 
which they use on these occasions. It is the entrails 
of a caterpillar called N’gwa, half an inch long. They 
squeeze out these, and place them all around tho bottom 
of the barb, and allow the poison to dry in the sun. They 
are very careful in cleaning their nails after working with 
