The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-10-31
.SOUTH-AFRICAN VEN
IUEE,

3 It was on the afternoon of one of the
hottest days of an African summer that
I 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
larder for the coming Christmas. 1
was at the time living alone in a glen
formed by two spurs OF the mountain,
with but few neighbors, and no town
within fifty miles; but, as my Kafres
had become sufficiently civilized to un-
derstand that Christmas-time meant un
limited eating, wished, by providing
game, to save an OK. Ihad only five or
six miles to go, and was well mounted ;
80 I did not hurry, but, leading my
horse up the steep pass, reached the
place where I intended to sleep just as
the sun was setting.
The scene around, though quite diff
ierent from our ideas of what it should
be in December, was very beautiful.
There was no snow, no leafess 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 l had
to do for my comfort during the night.
& 1 was on 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 l
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. fats 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 1t
now-indeed, 1 had not known they
came at all, but on going in, 1 found
some calabashes, and the ashes OF a
pewly-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 a BrshInan riding.
1t is most curious that race 80 low
down in the scale of humanity that their
language only contains a few words
made up of uppronounceable clicks, and
, who, with the exception OF the use OF
fire. in their mode of life differ but little
from the ape, should have learned to do
this. It may be that it is remnant OF
an old sign-language, or the last
relic of some former civilization. 1t
was full moon, and, after admiring the
: wonderful lights and shadows thrown by
itonthe broken ground, turned In ana
slep. till near daylight.
Z A soon as Ircouid see, started to
hunt. Much to my annoyance at the
: time, though had afterward ca'lse to
be thankful that my horse was spared
such a galIop as riding down an Gland
entails, could find nothing, and could
tell by the spoors that no herd had been
about for some days. 1t was nearly noon
before became convinced OF this and,
s tempted by the shade Of line OF tree
: ferns edging little brook whose bubble
sounded refreshingly amid the great
heat, 1 took my saddle off, knee-haltered
Prince, and lay down. OF course
soon dozed off, but became awake again
in couple of hours-I say "becamt
awake" )" because it was not the natura
rousing up Of person who has beer
asleep, but sudden return TO con
sciousness, without any movement, ant
with all my wits about me, and that in