been
some time sat upon. Our countrymen invariably do best when they continue
to think, speak, and act in their own proper character.

The food of the ostrich consists of pods and seeds of different kinds
of leguminous plants, with leaves of various plants; and, as these are
often hard and dry, he picks up a great quantity of pebbles, many of
which are as large as marbles. He picks up also some small bulbs, and
occasionally a wild melon to afford moisture, for one was found with a
melon which had choked him by sticking in his throat. It requires the
utmost address of the Bushmen, crawling for miles on their stomachs, to
stalk them successfully; yet the quantity of feathers collected annually
shows that the numbers slain must be considerable, as each bird has
only a few in the wings and tail. The male bird is of a jet black
glossy color, with the single exception of the white feathers, which
are objects of trade. Nothing can be finer than the adaptation of those
flossy feathers for the climate of the Kalahari, where these birds
abound; for they afford a perfect shade to the body, with free
ventilation beneath them. The hen ostrich is of a dark brownish-gray
color, and so are the half-grown cocks.

The organs of vision in this bird are placed so high that he can detect
an enemy at a great distance, but the lion sometimes kills him. The
flesh is white and coarse, though, when in good condition, it resembles
in some degree that of a tough turkey. It seeks safety in flight; but
when pursued by dogs it may be seen to turn upon them and inflict a
kick, which is vigorously applied, and sometimes breaks the dog's back.

Chapter 8.

Effects of Missionary Efforts--Belief in the Deity--Ideas of the
Bakwains on Religion--Departure from their Country--Salt-pans--Sour
Curd--Nchokotsa--Bitter Waters--Thirst suffered by the wild
Animals--Wanton Cruelty in Hunting--Ntwetwe--Mowana-trees--Their
extraordinary Vitality--The Mopane-tree--The Morala--The Bushmen--Their
Superstitions--Elephant-hunting--Superiority of civilized
over barbarous Sportsmen--The Chief Kaisa--His Fear of
Responsibility--Beauty of the Country at Unku--The Mohonono Bush--Severe
Labor in cutting our Way--Party seized with Fever--Escape of our
Cattle--Bakwain Mode of recapturing them--Vagaries of sick Servants--
Discovery of grape-bearing Vines--An Ant-eater--Difficulty of passing
through the Forest--Sickness of my Companion--The Bushmen--Their
Mode of destroy