unhappy expression and jaded bearing that he had had
bad luck.
Here was a perplexing situation! The people showed
they thought that now I would be forced to give them
some of the cloth (which it was fondly thought was stored
away) to buy some food, although the fact was that I had
parted with the last blanket for a basket of meal for them.
I felt sure they were hungry, for the meal had been finished
three days before. Now there was absolutely nothing left to
buy meal or sweet potatoes.
In the afternoon I had sent to “ Satan” to say that I
wished some chickens, for which I would pay on the chiefs
arrival; but his answer was that he wished payment on the
spot. This is exactly the Kaffir character.
Being now completely at a loss to know what plan to
adopt, I went forth to meditate and resolve; but my reflections
were disturbed by a very wrathful woman, who
happened to be telling her hushand something about his
character in very trenchant and searching tones. Troubled
and despondent, I took up my gun and wandered into the
forest, where I managed to shoot some guinea-fowl and
francolins, both very shy, being close to the town and hard
to get a shot at.
I indulged in a brief meditation, for while in pursuit of the
birds I had not ceased to turn over in my mind the most
feasible plan of relief, until the time arrived when I had to
hurry back to the town before the portals were closed for
the night. They are invariably strongly barricaded.
A new resolution was now firm, and I felt I could say
truly—
“ I have set my life upon the cast, i
And I will stand the hazard of the die.”
This place was intended neither for man nor beast. I
myself would go forth to endeavour to unriddle the enigma
Sakanii.
The only obstacle was the objections of the men. My
feet also were full of torture. I went to John, certainly
not for a supply of happy inspiration, but to divulge my
resolutions on the subject.
I t was long after dark. We sat outside the hut. Our
conversation was decidedly melancholy in tone, for it must
be remembered that John had returned from an unsuccessful
hunt.
“ Well, John, what shall we do ? ”
“ My gaut, master,” said John, shaking his head, “ de
sugar is done, and de tea is done, and de rice is done, and
everyting is done, and dur is no meat, and us shall die
from de hunger! ”
“ No, John,” I answered, “ there is one course yet left.
I must start myself and try to find Sakanii. I will not
return until I do find him. In the morning I will tell the
old woman, that she must give the boys enough to eat when
I am gone.”
“ She shall give nothing midout de cloth,” said John
prophetically.
“ You know I have gone ahead at different times, before
this and have not failed. By making long marches I
ought to reach the river in three days. Help me to get
boys early in the morning, for to-morrow I will go. Goodnight.”
Again I confronted the old lady, who this time was sitting
at the door of her hut smoking a long cigarette rolled in
the dried ear of the corn. More than once she put the
lighted end in her mouth, but was so thoroughly dried up
that she did not appear to suffer.
Explaining the situation, I said that I wished her to