ts.

With a bucket made of buffalo hide, water was drawn out, until the horse
had as much as he cared to drink. He was then led away and another
brought to the place, and then another, and after them the cattle, until
all the animals had drunk to their satisfaction.

This method of watering them showed some intelligence on the part of the
Bechuanas. It avoided the struggle and confusion which would certainly
have taken place, had the thirsty animals been driven to the well at the
same time.

That evening the hunters had a long conversation with the head man of
the kraal, Swartboy acting as interpreter. The chief said that his
tribe had once been large and powerful; but what from desertion, and
wars with the Kaffirs, they had become reduced to their present number.
In order to live in peace and security, he had sought refuge in the
solitary karroo, where the hardships to be encountered in reaching his
remote home would deter any enemy from making the attempt. In order to
make assurance doubly sure, he admitted having caused several
water-holes to be poisoned; and he appeared greatly satisfied at telling
them how, on one occasion, his plan had met with a splendid success. A
party of his Kaffir enemies had partaken of the water from one of the
poisoned pools, and had died upon the spot.

This portion of the narrative, which was interpreted by Swartboy, seemed
to give the latter as much satisfaction as it did the chief himself. He
grinned with intense delight as he translated the account of this
strange episode.

In order to give his guests an exalted idea of his greatness the chief
informed them that he was brother to Kalatah. Groot Willem expressed a
wish to know who or what the great Kalatah might be. The chief was
astonished, not to say chagrined, at the confession of so much
ignorance, and the hunters were instantly enlightened. Kalatah was the
most noble warrior, the best brother, the most loyal subject, in fact
the best man in every way, that ever lived, and his memory was, and
ought to be, respected over the whole world. This was news to our
adventurers, and they were anxious to learn more of the chief and his
wonderful relative. Willing to gratify his guests, he further informed
them that the Kaffirs had made another attempt to reach the remote kraal
in which he now dwelt. They had entered the karroo with a large force
well prepared for crossing it, and would probably have succeeded, had
they not