er side were seen a succession of tree-covered heights, through
which no waggon could force its way, unless preceded by a party of
pioneers to cut down the trees and bridge the ravines. In the far
distance were a few kraals with open spaces marking the mealy grounds of
the inhabitants, but in other respects the whole country was a perfect
wilderness.

As they were descending they caught sight of a graceful animal which at
that moment had leapt on a rock not far from them. In colour and
appearance it resembled the common roe, but was considerably smaller.
On seeing the strangers, it was on the point of turning to escape, when
Hendricks, raising his gun in a moment to his shoulder, fired, and the
little klipspringer fell from the projecting rock on which it was
standing, down on the smooth side of the hill, where it lay motionless.
The klipspringer is one of the most active of antelopes, differing from
others of its species in having small hoofs and somewhat short legs for
its size, thus adapting it to its roaming mountainous life, while the
hair is so loose in the skin, that even in the short distance the animal
just shot had fallen, a considerable part had been knocked off. Umgolo
at once shouldered it, and without difficulty carried it off to the
camp. Had it been a load of any other description, he would have
declined to demean himself by lifting it on his shoulders. On their way
back, the hunters shot several dassi, or rock rabbits, which thus paid
the penalty of their curiosity as they came out of their holes to look
at the passers-by. Their flesh, although not so highly flavoured, was
more likely to prove tender than that of larger game, and they were thus
an acceptable addition to the store of meat.

Poor Denis made his appearance at supper-time, somewhat revived by a
long sleep. Although he tried to be cheerful, and declared that he was
fit for anything, it was still very evident that he would be unable to
accompany his father.

Except that there was a continual serenade of hyenas and jackals, with
the occasional low mutterings of lions in the distance, the night passed
quietly by. Before dawn the next morning both camps were astir. After
a hurried breakfast the oxen were inspanned, and Denis was placed in the
homeward-bound waggon. His father having taken leave of him, and parted
from Hendricks with a hearty shake of the hand, the two vehicles
commenced their journeys in opposite directions. Mangale