Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-01-11

in the subsequent
events. If that old man was humbug,
he was a very clever one What amount
of truth there was in his pretensfons of
supernatural powers It is not for me to
determine, though may have my own
opinion on the subject. But there was
no mistake as to the extraordinary in
fuence he exercised over his fellow
natives.
When was at length ready to start
upon my expedition went to old Indaba-
zimbi to say good-by to him, and was
rather surprised to find him engaged in
relling up medicine, assegais, and other
sundries in his blankets.
"Good-by, Indabarzimbi," I said, 81
am going to trek north"
"Yes, Macumazahn, I" he answered, with
his head on one side; sand SO am II
want to see that country. We viii go to-
gether."
'Win wei" said; swat till you are
asked, you old humbug."
"You had better ask me, then, Macu-
mazahn, for if you don't you win never
come back alive. Now that the old chief
(my father is gone to where the storms
come from, and he nodded to the sky,
1T feel myself getting into bad habits
again. So last night 1 just throw up the
bones and worked out about your jour
ney, and can tell you this, that if you
don't take me you will die, and, what is
more, you will lose one who is dearer to
you than life"
Now I was no more superstitious than
other people, but somehow old Indaba-
zinbi impressed me. Also, / knew his
extraordinary influence over every class
of native, and bethought me that he
might be useful in that way.
"All right" / said; az appoint you
witchfinder to the expedition without
pay"
"First serve, then ask for wages" he
answered. II am glad to see that you
have enough imagination not to be alto
gether fool, like most white men, Macu-
mazahn. Yes, yes, it Is want Of mag
nation that makes people fools; they
won't believe what they can't under
stand. You can't understand my prophe-
cies any more than the fool at the kraal
could understand that was his master
with the lightning. Well, it is time to
trek, but if were you, Macumazahn,
should take one wagon, not two"
"Whyr' said.
Because you viii lose your wagons,
and it is better to lose one than two"
"Oh, nonsensel" said.
"All right, Macumazahn, live and
learn" And without another word he
walked to the foremost wagon, put his
bundle into it, and climbed into the front
seat.
So, having bid an affectionate adieu to
my white friends, at length I started, and
travelled slowly northwards. For the FIRST
three weeks nothing very particular be-
fell me. Such Kafflrs as we came in con-
tact with were friendly, and game liter
ally swarmed.
The first real adventure that befell me
on this particular journey was with
elephants, which will relate because Of
its curious termination. Just before we
crossed the Orange river we came to a
stretch of forest land some twenty miles
broad. The night we entered this forest
we camped In a lovely open glade. A
few yards ahead tambouki grass was
growing to the height of man, or
rather it had been; now, with the ex-
ception of a few stalks here and there,
it was crushed quite flat. 1t was already
dusk when we camped; but after the
moon got up walked from the fire to
see how this had happened. One glance
was enough for me; a great herd of ele-
plants had evidently passed over the
tall grass not many hours before. The
sight.of their spoer reioiced me exceed
ingly, for though had seen wild ele-
plants, at that time bad never shot
one Moreover, the sight of elephant
spoer to the African hunter is what
'color in the pan" is to the prospector Of
gold. 1t is by ivory that he lives, and
to shoot it or trade it is his chief aim in
life. Ny resolution was soon taken. /
would camp the wagons for while in