the chiefs that three or four of us armed with guns were a
match for any number of Bushmen. This statement the chiefs did not
deny, but they said that if the Bushmen crept on us at night, they might
hit us with their poisoned arrows, whilst we could not see them. I
answered, however, that sport without some danger was only fitted for
women, and that I had already proved that I could take care of myself.

After a very long talk it was agreed that I, with twenty men whom I
should select, were to journey up country, and try our luck against the
ostriches. I chose the best men with whom I was acquainted, and also my
two young Caffre friends. We carried five guns with us and about twenty
rounds of ammunition each. So that we were a formidable party as
regards strength, though few in number. Our daily journeys must have
been about thirty miles, as we walked from sunrise to sunset, and very
quickly. We had no want of food, for there were plenty of antelope in
this country, and we used to spoor these, to where they had lain down in
the reeds or long grass; we then surrounded the spot where they were
concealed, and closed in on them; when they jumped up to make off, we
either assagied them, or knocked them over with our knob-kerries.

After eight days' walking we came to the plains where we expected to
find ostriches, and I now made use of my glasses to scan the country
round. There was plenty of game in these plains, herds of the _impovu_
(elands) and other animals, and water was also plentiful, as numbers of
small streams flowed from the ravines of the Quathlamba into the plains,
south and south-east of them. So that we considered this country very
suitable for kraals, as there was plenty of grass for cattle and the
soil was well-suited for growing corn.

We worked our way over these plains till we came to the rising ground at
the foot of the mountains, which we ascended, and could then obtain a
good view of the surrounding country.

As we were sitting on the rocks looking in various directions, we heard
a noise above us, and saw a large rock rolling and bounding down towards
us. Instantly we jumped behind rocks and so protected ourselves, and
the rolling rock bounded over our heads. On looking up we saw two
Bushmen standing on some crags about 150 yards from us: it was these men
who had loosened the rock, in order, if possible, to crush some of us.
They shrieked at us, and shook their fists as if defying us; they