248 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
and the sinews of a buck, to act, a little Masara boy— 
a waddling infant, certainly not more than two years 
old, but with an intelligent countenance, and not yet 
starved — whom I named Leche; and he is a fine 
quick little fellow. I am now quite fond of him. A 
gang of Bamangwatos returning to Sicomo’s, from 
hunting jackals, lynxes, wild cats, and skins of all 
kinds, had picked up this poor little urchin. They 
remained all night by my wagon, and the one who 
called, himself owner brought him to me. My inter¬ 
preter told me that if I did not take him they were 
just as likely to leave him as not, if they got tired of 
carrying him across the desert; and knowing the 
fate in store for him, even if they got him home — 
the slave of a Bamangwato, who live from hand to 
mouth themselves — I took compassion on him, and 
rescued him from their hands. 
Yesterday, Whitsunday, will long live in my me¬ 
mory, as one of the most miserable of my life. On 
getting up, later than usual, as it was Sunday, and I 
did not intend to trek, I was struck by an ominous 
silence in my followers, which boded no good; and 
as I was drinking my morning cup of coffee, Baffler, 
the driver, acting as spokesman for the party, told 
me he intended seeking a path to the house, and I 
then saw they had all ready for a move. Never for 
a moment thinking he was in earnest, I said, 4 Very 
well — he could do as he liked ; ’ when five instantly 
rose, and gave me back, with great parade, pow¬ 
der, bullets, and caps, and made many apologies - 
