have no doubt, dwindled them down to what you see."

"How is it that these Bushmen are so familiar? I thought that they were
savage and irreclaimable."

"They are what are termed tame Bushmen; that is, they have lived near
the farmers, and have, by degrees, become less afraid of the Europeans.
Treated kindly, they have done good in return to the farmers by watching
their sheep, and performing other little services, and have been
rewarded with tobacco. This has given them confidence to a certain
degree. But we must expect to meet with others that are equally wild,
and who will be very mischievous; attempting to drive off our cattle,
and watching in ambush all round our caravan, ready for any pilfering
that they can successfully accomplish; and then we shall discover that
we are in their haunts without even seeing them."

"How so?"

"Because it will only be by their thefts that we shall find it out. But
it is time for bed, and as to-morrow is Sunday you will have a day of
rest, which I think you both require."

"I do," replied Alexander, "so good-night to you both."

CHAPTER XXII.

As arranged, they did not travel on the Sunday. Early in the morning the
oxen and horses and sheep were turned out to pasture; all except the
horse which had been ridden by Alexander on the preceding day, and which
was found to be suffering so much that they took away a large quantity
of blood from him before he was relieved.

The Bushmen still remained with them, and were likely to do so as long
as there was any prospect of food. The four buffaloes which had been
killed, as well as the horse which had been gored to death, were found
picked clean to the bones on the following day, by the hyenas and other
animals which were heard prowling during the whole night. But as large
quantities of the buffalo-flesh had been cut off, and hung upon the
trees near the caravan, there was more than sufficient for a second
feast for the Bushmen and Hottentots, and there was nothing but frying
and roasting during the whole of the day.

The sun was intensely hot, and Alexander and the Major both felt so
fatigued from the exertions of the day before, that after breakfast they
retired to their wagons, and Swinton did not attempt to disturb them, as
they were in a sound sleep till the evening, when they were much
refreshed and very hungry. Swinton said he had thought it better that
they should not be awakened, as the heat was so overpowering, and