give details in another part. I was afraid
that some of the _carnivora_ might feast on him, so we determined to
return to my horse, and make the best of our way back to the kraal. A
large party instantly set off with assagies to bring in the meat, while
I had some dinner and a glass of brandy-and-water. I then strolled out
to a neighbouring kloof, and poked about the bushes in search of game.
Hearing some guinea-fowl calling, I drew my bullets, and put buckshot
into both barrels. This is a plan I rarely practised, as it is better
always to retain a bullet in one barrel; in the present case the neglect
of this might have led to a serious affair. Having crept down to where
I thought I heard the guinea-fowl, I saw a couple of creatures moving in
the long grass. I could not see what they were; but thinking that they
must be bucks, I crept down towards them until well within shot; I then
stood up, and ran forward. When within a few yards of the objects, I
was brought to a stand-still, by seeing a leopard jump up: he gave a
snarl at me, and then bounded off, followed by a second one. They went
away just like two cats, leaping lightly over everything in their
course. My finger was on the trigger to fire, but remembering the
Dutchman Hendrick's advice, I thought it wiser to let them alone. I saw
them go over a rocky hill some distance off, and was quite willing to
let them thus retreat.

I returned up the ravine, and killed two guinea-fowl at one shot, as
they were running furiously along a path. I thought my old buffalo
might not be so tender as a guinea-fowl, in which supposition I was
correct. A Kaffir girl plucked one of the birds for me, and I thought
it particularly good, although it had not the addition of bread sauce or
gravy. As it was getting dark the Kaffirs returned, almost weighed down
by the immense weight of meat. Never had there been such luxurious
times in their land; meat without reserve; snuff in plenty; and a round
of brandy-and-water for the principal men. One or two large earthen
vessels were placed on the fire, and huge pieces of the buffalo were put
into them to stew. During the cooking, all the men assembled in the
largest hut, which was circular, and like all the others. It was about
twenty feet in diameter, about seven feet high, and in shape like a
beehive. A large place in the centre was hollowed out for the fire; no
chimney was considered necessary, a little hole that was in the t