Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-11-01
Il ,SOETY-A FRIC1N Nd YEN
IIfHE

1t was on the afternoon of one Of the
hottest days of an African summer that
| left my farm TO ascend the Draakens-
burg Mountains, for the purpose of
finding, if possible, an eland-a
species of antelope-to replenish my
harder for the coming Christmas. l
was at the time living alone in glen
formed by two spurs OF the mountain,
with but few neighbors, and no town
within fifty miles; but, as my Kaffres
had become sufficiently civilized to un-
derstand that Christmas time meant un-
limited eating, wished, by providing
game, to save an OK. I had only five or
six miles to go, and was well mounted /;
so I did not hurry, but, leading my
horse up the steep pass, reached the
place where ] intended to sleep just as
the sun was setting.
The scene around, though quite diff
ferent from our IDEAS OF what it should
be in December, was very beautiful.
There was no snow, no leafiess trees
with their delicate tracery set off by the
glistening hoar-frost, nor dark-green
frs bending under their white load but
still there was enough to keep me stand
ing, forgetful Of fire-wood and all 1 had
to do for my comfort during the night.
was ON q narrow ledge of rock, sep
arated from the network of hills beyond
by deep, perpendicular gorge, at the
bottom of which, so far down that /
could hardly distinguish it, ran little
burn. The setting sun gave the peaks
that rich purple hue seldom seen away
from heather ana on the other side, as
far as the eye could reach, lay the thorn
covered flats and hills of Natal
Under the rock was a large cave,
where l had determined to sleep. 1t
had in olden times been regular resort
of the Bushmen, but few came near it
now-indeed, / had not known they
came at all, but on going in, / found
some calabashes, and the ashes of q
newly made fire, which could have been
only left by them. There were other
marks ON the walls, though evidently OF
great antiquity; rude sketches and
drawings of horses, cattle, bows and
arrows, and even of Bushman riding.
1t is most curious that race SO low
down in the scale of humanity that theil
language only contains few words
made up of unpronounceable clicks, an6
who, with the exception of the use Of
fire, in their mode of life differ but little
from the ape, should have learned to &c
this. 1t may be that it is a remnant o
an old sign-language, or the las
relic of some former civilization. /
was full moon, and, after admiring th
wonderful lights and shadows thrown b,
it onth broken ground, I turned in ant
slept till near daylight.
A soon as / could see, [ started t
hunt. Much to my annoyance Mt tn
time, though ] had afterward cause t
be thankful that my horse was spare
such gallop as riding down an elan
entails, l could find nothing, and coul
tell by the spoors that no herd had bee
about for some days. 1t was nearly moo
before became convinced of this an6
tempted by the shade of a line of tree
ferns edging little brook whose bubbl
sounded refreshingly amid the greg
heat, took my saddle off, knee-haltere
Prince, and lay down. Of course
soon dozed off, but became awake agai
in couple of hours-I say "becam
awake" because it was not the nature
rousing up of a person who has bee
asleep, but sadden return to COZ
seriousness, without any movement, an
with all my wits about me, and that i,