Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-11-01

nCaI had DeCn resting, ana where my
cap still was. 1t did not require much
thinking to know that a Bushmans
hand held the bow it had come from,
nor to determine that the safest thing
to do was to roll quietly into the bed of
the little brook below me. Luckily this
would afford good shelter, and ] could
almost reach the edge with my hand.
The tremendous violence with which
these streams come down from the hills
during the heavy thunder-storms wears
Il deep passage even in the hardest
ground and, though there was only
about an inch of water, and it was not
a yard broad, the banks were to the full
four feet high. Leaving my cap where
it was, / rolled over as quietly as l
could but, just as | was disappearing,
another arrow came and struck me in
the thigh, the only part notyet i'll safety.
1t took all my self-control to continue
my movements as before until l stood
crouching at the bottom. Why" the
leader may exclaim, "the pain of such
a tiny arrow could not be very great y
No, neither is the bite of a snake in
itself yet of the two the latter is the
least to be dreaded It was, of course.
poisoned with that deadly skill for
which the whole tribe is famous and,
as I stood below, l knew I had little
chance of seeing another sunrise.
However, with that self-help that
men who lead Il solitary life acquire, ]
instantly drew my hunting knife, ripped
up the trousers, and with a steady hand
cut out the arrowhead, not sparing my
self. l then took my flask and poured
powder into the wound, and, gently
striking match, set fire to it. That
done, l took off my belt, fnd, using my
full force, strapped it a little above, as
tight as it would CO.
l do not think that in doing all this l
had any hope of saving my life there
was only a sort of feeling that l was
doing my duty. The pain was not very
great, and my chief thought was for
vengeance on the malignant creature
that locked upon as my murderer. L
rightly imagined he was not aware of
his success. No doubt, he thought he
had missed me, and that was still lying
asleep-in proof of which [ soon heard
the whiz of another arrow striking above.
Moving down about yard to where the
overhanging ferns would conceal me, 1
quietly raised my head and the ground
was slightly rising, and [ could see
around for some distance. There was
my horse unconsciously grazing away,
but the grass was too long for me to see
my enemy's whereabouts. /, however,
guessed that he would try and get be-
tween us; and so l waited, watching,
and grasping my rifle.
Ten minutes passed in silence, and
then I fancied that the grass was mov-
ing unnaturally. In another second Il
hand and bow appeared heard little
twang, and saw the tiny messenger of
death again pierce the spot where I had
been. I kept myself from firing though
I covered tie place. Surely, he would
become impatient, and give me better
chance. Another ten minutes, and sud-
denly, in different spot, which COM
manded better view of my cap, little
black head peered over the grass. 1t
was enough; and, as / fired, a shrill
shrek and spasmodic spring into the
air told me that had nothing more to
fear.
Getting out as quickly as possible, ]
dragged myself for the limb was now
much swollen, and becoming more and
more painful-to my saddle, where I
carried in q little bottle some eau dc
lucc for snake bites, and poured out a
large dose. After drinking it, I caught
my horse, saddled it, and, picking up
two Of the arrows, went to have look
ut the dead Bushman. He was scarcely
over four feet high, with arms so long
and thin as to reach deformity, short
bow-kneed legs supporting a little round
body-he had evidently not been starv.
ing lately-and features so closely re-
sembling those of an Intelligent ape
that, had there been tail, no one
would have thought twice about the
matter. | did not remain long there
was no time to lose so, taking his bow
[ mounted, and, putting the horse a
his best pace, started on my long ride
I know perfectly we'll that the only
chance, such as it was, of saving m,
life depended on my reaching Lady
smith that night, and obtaining medica
assistance. The distance was fully sixt,
miles, and, with but one exception
there was nothing but Dutch beers
houses ON the road, whence I could no
hope for any help. For the first twent,
miles kept steadily on my way, though
the agony was dreadful, and coul'
hardly sit my horse. then reached al
Englishman's farm, pulled up, told IN,
story, and asked for spirits to keep m
strength up, and the loan of a fresl
, horse. I shall not easily forget hi