Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-06

1
able clicks, and who, with the execution of
the use OF fire, in their mode of life differ
but little from the ape, should have learned
to do this. 1t may be that il is remnant
OF an old sign language, or at last relic Of
some former civilization. II was a full
moon, and after admiring the wonderful
lights and shadows thrown by it on the
broken ground, | turned in and slept til
nearly daylight.
As soon as could see started TO hunt.
Much TO my annoyance at the time. though
had afterwards cause to be thankful that
my horse was spared such galop as rid.
ing down an eland entails could end moth
ing, and could tell by the spoors that no
herd bad been about for some days. Il
was nearly noon before became convinced
Of this and tempted by the shade Of
line OF tree-ferns edging little brook whose
bubble sounded refreshingy amid the great
heat, took my saddle Of, knec-haltered
Prince, and lay down. OF course soon
dozcd off, but became awake in about a
couple Of hours; I say "bec1me awake"
because it was not the natural rousng up
OF person who has been asleep, but sud.
den return TO consciousness, without any
movement, and with my wits about me, and
that inward feeling which perhaps some Of
my rcaders'may have experienced, of some-
thing being wrong, and tension Of all the
powers Of hearing to discover what it is.
! had not long to wait; whizs came a tiny
arrow striking stone on which my head
had been resting, and where my cap still
was. IL did not require much thinking to
know that Bushman's arrow held the
bow It had come from. nor TO determine
that the safest thing to do was to roll quiet.
" 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
heavy thunder storms, wears deep passage
even in the hardest ground, and though
there was only about an iuch Of water III
was not yard broad } the banks we're full
four feet high. Leaving my cap where it
was, rolled over as quietly as | could;
but just as | was disappearing another
arrow came aud struck me in the thigh, the
only part not yet in safety. 1t took all
my self-con,rol to continue my movements
as before, until | stood croucbing at the
bottom. "Why," the reader may exclaim,
" the pain of such tiny arrow could not
be so very great" No, neither is the bite
of a snake in itself, yet of.the two the lat.
ter is the least to be dreaded 1t was Of
course poisoned with that deadly skill for
which the whole tribe is famous aud as I
stood below knew | had little chance of
seeing another sun rise.
However, with that self help that men
who lead a solitary life acquire, | instantly
drew my hunting-knife, ripped up the trous.
ers, and with steady hand, cut out the ar.
row-head, not sparing myself | then took
my flask, poured powder into the wound
and gently striking match set FIRE to it.
That done, took off my belt and using
my full force, strapped it little above, as
tight as it would 90.
do not think that in doing all this |
had any hope Of saving my life there was
only 4 sort of feeling that was doing my
duty. The pain was not very great, and
my chief thought was for vengeance on the
malignant creature that looked upon as
my murderer. | rightly imagined that he
was not aware of his success. No doubt he
thought be 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 over-hauging ferns would conceal
me, | quietly raised my head 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 between us, and so
waited, watching and graspiug my rife.
Ten minutes passed in silence, and then
| fanced that the grass was moving un-
naturally. In another second hand and
bow appeared | heard little twang, and
saw the tiny messenger Of death again
pierce the spot where had been. kept
myself from firing though | covered the
place Surely he would become impatient,
aud give me better chance. Another ten
minutes, and in different spot, which COM
mandod better view Of my cap, little
black head peered over the grass. 1t was
enough | fired shrill shrek and
spasmodic spring into the air, told me
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
panful-to my saddle, where | carried in
little bottle some eau du luce for snake
bites, and poured out large dose. After
drinking it, caught my horse, saddled it,
aud picking up two or three arrows, went
to have look at the dead Bushman. He
was scarcely over four feet, with arms so
long aud thin as to reach deiormity, short
and bow-kneed legs supporting n little
round body-he had evidently not been
starving lately-and the features so closely
resembling 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 my horse at his best pace, started
on my long ride. knew that the only
chance. such as it was, of saving my life,
depended on my reaching Ladysmitb that
night and obtaining medical assistance.
The distance was fully sixty miles, and
with but one exception, there was nothing
but Dutch DOORS houses on the road, whence
| could not hope for any help. For the
first twenty miles | kept steadily on my
way. though the agony was dreadful, aud
could hardly sit on my horse. then
reached an Engishman's farm, pulled up,
told my story, and asked for spirits to keep
my strength up, and the loan of fresh
horse. shall not easily forget his wife's
scared look as she came out and saw me by
the light Of her Pickering candle. sup
pose must have seemed half mad. They
brought out bottle Of whiskey for me, and
a tumbler which | filed. and drank of
neat; but they had not got horse sup"
They were, he said, all running, and it
would take hours TO find them. So |
started again; | do not remember much
more of that wild. moonlight ride; be-
came drowsy and delirious, just retaining
sense enough to 60 straight. How did it
do not know, as for the greater part Of
the way there was no road, and even in
daylight and with nothing the matter,
should have hesitatcd in more than one
place. However, Providence or instinct