had taken away as
much as they required, the rest of the carcasses were made over to the
hungry Korannas. Swinton shook his head at Omrah, who pretended that he
did not understand why, until the laughter of Alexander and the Major
was joined in by Swinton himself.

As they had pretty well fatigued their horses in the chase, they
resolved to return to the caravan, and keep them as fresh as they could
for future service. They dined and supped on the flesh of the gnoos,
which was approved of, and after supper Alexander said--"And now,
Swinton, if you feel inclined, the Major and I will be very glad to hear
your history of the Mantatees."

"With pleasure," replied Swinton. "The assemblage of tribes known as the
Mantatees or Invaders, according to the best authorities we can collect,
inhabited the countries to the westward of the Zoolu territory, in the
same latitude, which is that of Delagoa Bay. As all these tribes subsist
almost entirely upon the flesh and the milk of their cattle, if deprived
of them, they are driven to desperation, and must either become robbers
in their turn, or perish by hunger. Such was the case of the Mantatees.
Unable to withstand the attacks of the Zoolus, they were driven from
their country, and joined their forces with others who had shared the
same fate.

"Such was the origin of the Mantatees, who, although they had not
courage to withstand the attacks of the Zoolus, were stimulated by
desperation and famine to a most extraordinary courage in the attacks
which they made upon others.

"Forming an immense body, now that they were collected together,
accompanied by their wives and children, and unable to procure the
necessary subsistence, it is certain that their habits were so far
changed that they at last became cannibals, and were driven to prey upon
the dead bodies of their enemies, or the flesh of their comrades who
fell in the combats.

"The Bechuana tribes, who are the Caffres of the interior, were the
first assailed, their towns sacked and burned, and their cattle seized
and devoured. They proceeded on to the Wankeets, one of the Damara
tribes, who inhabit the western coast to the northward of the Namaqua
Land; but the Wankeets were a brave people, and prepared for them, and
the Mantatees were driven back with great slaughter. Astounded at their
defeat, they turned to the southward, and invaded the Bechuana country.

"At that time our missionaries had established themselves at Koran