owl, which had been in existence--after egg life I mean--a few
days, and swaggered about the premises like an impudent child. There
was another baby--weak in the understanding, physically as well as
mentally--which staggered about in a drunken manner, with an insane
tendency to use its tail as a support. This creature was kept in
existence by having its food forcibly crammed down its throat, the
amount given each meal being gauged not by appetite but by the tension
of its stomach. Last, and least, there was one which had succeeded in
bursting out one end of its native egg that morning. Its already
tremendous toes protruded, and were engaged in further efforts to get
out when we arrived. While we were at dinner that day the creature
effected its liberation, and entered on the staggering and stuffing
phase of its career.

All these birds, and many others, had been nursed into life through a
hot-air and warm blanket incubator, by the amiable lady of the house,
and were destined to spend the early part of their lives under the care
of some Hottentot stepmother.

LETTER SIX.

OVER THE PLAINS--LION AND TIGER REMINISCENCES--FRONTIER FORCES AND
ESCAPED CONVICTS--MONKEYS AND PRICKLY PEARS--A VETERAN SETTLER'S
EXPERIENCES OF KAFIR WARFARE--STORY OF THE DUTCH FARMERS' RISING IN
1815.

It was a sad day that on which I left the Karroo and bade farewell to
Ebenezer.

I had gone there in absolute ignorance of men and things, and had found
a hearty welcome in the abode of a warm-hearted Christian family and a
romantic region, full, to me, of new ideas, experiences, circumstances,
and sensations.

Hobson drove me in his cart. Our destination was the mountain region of
Baviaans, or Baboons, River.

The first part of our route lay across the Karroo and over the mountain
range which separated us from the town of Somerset East. As we sped
along, drawn by two powerful horses, over the ocean-like plains, we were
silent at first, but gradually the cheering influence of rapid motion
and fine weather began to tell. Our spirits rose, and Hobson related
numerous anecdotes, historical and adventurous, from the rich stores of
a good memory.

About noon we outspanned beside a stream and allowed the horses to have
a roll. Under the shade of a bush we lay and chatted, while our eyes
roamed over the rolling plains to the blue mountain range which formed
its northern boundary.

"There," said my friend, pointing towards the mount