Year: 1873

anu q tension OF all the powers OF
hearing to discover what it is, had
not long to wait; whiz came tiny
arrow, striking the stone on which my
head had been resting, and where my
cap still was. 1t did not require much
thinking to know that Bushman's
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
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, 1 rolled over as quietly as 1
could but, Just as was disappearing,
another arrow came and struck me in
the thigh, the only part notyet in safety.
1t took all my self-control to continue
my movements as before until I stood
crouching at the bottom. "Why, the
reader mny exclaim, "the pain of such
a tiny arrow could not be very great"
No, neither is the bite of snake in
itself yet of the two the latter is the
least to be dreaded. 1t was, of course.
poisoned with that deadly skill for
which the whole tribe is famous and,
as 1 stood below, knew had little
chance of seeing another sunrise.


However, with that self-help that
men who lead solitary life acquire, ]
instantly drew my huntingknife, ripped
up the trousers, and with steady hand
cut out the arrowhead, not sparing my
self. then took my flask and poured
powder into the wound, and, gently
striking a match, set fire to it. That
done, 1 took off my belt, md, using my
full force, strapped it a little above, as
tight as it would go.


/ do not think that in doing all this l
had any hope of saving my life; there
was only SOFT of feeling that I was
doing my duty. Thepain was not very
great, and my chief thought was for
vengeance on the malignant creature
that locked upon as my murderer. 1
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 L soon heard
the whiz of another arrow striking above.
Moving down about yard to where the
overhanging ferns would conceal me, l
quietly raised my head and the ground
was slightly rising, and l could see
around for some distance. There was
my horse uneonsciously grazing away,
but the grass was too long for me to see
nv enemy's whereabouts. j, however,
guessed that he would try and get be-
tween us; and so waited, watching,
and grasping my rifle.


Ten minutes passed in silence, and
then 1 fancied that the grass was NOV
ing unnaturally. In another second a
hand and bow appeared /; I heard little
twang, and saw the tiny messenger OF
death again pierce the spot where l had
been. I kept myself from firing though
1 covered the place. Surely, he would
become impatient, and give me better
chance. Another ten minutes, and sud-
denly, in q different spot, which com.
manted better view of my cap, little
black head peered over the grass. 1t
was enough; and, as I fred, shrill
shrek and spasmodic spring into the
air told me that l had nothing more to
| ear.


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 ]
carried in little bottle some eau dc
luce for snake bites, and poured out q
large dose. After drinking it, I caught
nv horse, saddled it, and, picking up
two of the arrows, went to have looh
| at the dead Bushman. He was scarcely
over four feet high, with arms SO long
and thin rs to reach deformity, shor'
bow-kneed legs supporting little round
body-he had evidently not been starv


ing lately-and features 50 closely re
sembling those of an intelligent ape
that. had there been a tail, no oht
world have thought twice about the
would have thought twice about the
matter. / did not remain long; there
WAS no time to lose so, taking his bow
7 mounted, and, putting the horse a


his best pace, started on nay long ride
/ I knew perfectly well that the only
chance, such rs it was, of saving my
life depended on NY reaching Lady


smith that night, and obtaining medlca


assistance. The distance was fully sixt.


miles. and, with but one exception
| there was nothing but Dutch beers


houses on the road, whence could no


hope for any help. For the first twent:


miles kept steadily On my way, thougi
4 the ag.ny was dreadful, and 4 -coui'


hardly sit my horse. I then reached a


Englishmans farm, pulled up, told m!
story, and asked for spirits to keep m:
strength up, and the loan OF fresl