172 
THE BUSHMEN. 
Chap. VIH. 
poisoned arrow-wounds. It is probable tliat be derived Ins know¬ 
ledge from the natives as I did, and that tbe reputed efficacy of 
the balsam is owing to its fatty constituent. 
In cases of the bites of serpents a small key ought to be pressed 
down firmly on the wound, the orifice of the key being applied to 
the puncture, until a cupping-glass can be got from one of the 
natives. A watch-key pressed firmly on the point stung by a 
scorpion extracts the poison; and a mixture of fat or oil and 
ipecacuanlia reheves the pain. 
The Bushmen of these districts are generally fine well-made 
men, and are nearly independent of every one. We observed 
them to be fond of a root somewhat hke a kidney potato, and the 
kernel of a nut, wliich Fleming thought was a kind of betel; the 
tree is a fine large spreading one, and the leaves palmate. From 
the quantities of berries and the abundance of game in these 
parts, the Bushmen can scarcely ever be badly off for food. As 
I could without much difficulty keep them well supphed witli 
meat, and wished them to remain, I proposed that they should 
bring their wives to get a share, but they remarked that the 
women could always take care of themselves. 
None of the men of our party had died, but two seemed 
unhkely to recover; and Kibopechoe, my willing' Mokwain, at 
last became troubled with boils, and then got aU the symptoms 
of fever. As he lay doTO, the others began to move about, and 
complained of w^eakness only. Behoving that frequent change of 
place was conducive to their recovery, we moved along as much 
as w^e could, and came to the hill N’gwa (lat. 18° 27' 20" S., long. 
21° 13' 36" E.). Tins being the only liill we had seen since 
leaving the Bamangwato, we felt inchned to take off our hats to it. 
It is tlu’ee or four hundred feet Ifigli, and covered Avith trees. Its 
geogTapliical position is pretty accurately laid doAvn from occulta- 
tion and other observations. I may mention that the valley on its 
northern side, named Kandehy, or Kandehai, is as picturesque a 
spot as is to be seen in tins part of Africa. The open glade, sur¬ 
rounded by forest trees of various hues, had a little stream mean¬ 
dering in the centre. A herd of reddish-coloured antelopes (pallahs). 
stood on one side, near a large baobab, looking at us, and ready to 
run up the hill; while gnus, tsessebes, and zebras gazed in asto¬ 
nishment at the intruders. Some fed carelessly, and others put 
