Part 8 (2/2)
”Why, as my baboon is by title a princess, I think we can not create him less than a prince Let us call him Omrah”
”Omrah be it then,” replied Mr Swinton, ”until we can name hion, with Begum to amuse him, and our travelers took their departure from Graham's Town
[Illustration: THE BUSHMAN BOY]
CHAPTER X
It was in the afternoon that they moved from Graham's Town They had intended to have started earlier, but they found it i their farewells of their wives and their liquor-shops As it was, most of them were in a state of intoxication, and it was considered advisable to get the they arrived at Hermann's Kraal, a sive the Hottentots an opportunity of recovering froain started, and the landscape now changed its aspect, being covered with thick bushes, infested ild beasts
A barren and sterile country was soon spread before then of water was to be observed in any direction At last they arrived at athelad to do the sahted fires to keep off the wild beasts and the elephants
The following ht, and the scene again changed; they now plunged into the dense forests bordering on the great Fish River, which they forded in safety The prospects all around were very beautiful, the river sh stupendous mountains and precipices, with verdant valleys on each side of its banks In the afternoon they arrived at Fort Wiltshi+re, the outermost defense of the colony, situated on the banks of the Keiskalish troops were stationed there, to prevent anythe river, or to intercept them on their return with their booty
As this was the last spot where they could expect to see any of their countryreed to reht obtain all the inforons before they started The original plan had been to direct their course to Chumie, the first missionary station, which was about twenty-five miles distant; but as it was out of their way, they now resolved to proceed direct to butterworth, which was forty miles further in the Caffre country, and the more distant of the two missions Our party took leave of their kind entertainers, and, having crossed without difficulty at the ford the Keiskaround, and were in the land of the Caffres
Up to the present they had very little trouble with the Hottentots who as they ithin reach of the law they behaved well; but now that they had passed the confines of the Cape territory, soan to show symptoms of insubordination The diso back i to shoot him if he was ever seen in the caravan, had the desired effect of restoring order The country was now a series of hills and dales, occasionally of deep ravines, and their route lay through the paths made by the elephants, which were numerous A Hottentot of the name of Bremen, as considered as their best ed Alexander and his co, if they preceded the rest on horseback; as the elephants always return by the sahtfall, in whatever direction they erous to intercept them
For two days they continued their course in nearly a straight line for the , just about dusk, as they were crossing a woody hill, by the elephants' path, being then about 200 yards in advance of the wagons, they were saluted with one of the most hideous shrieks that could be conceived Their horses started back; they could see nothing, although the sound echoed through the hills for some seconds
”What was that?” exclaimed Alexander
”Shout as loud as you can,” cried the Major; ”and turn your horses to the wagons”
Alexander and Swinton joined the Major in the shout, and were soon acco and yelling as loud as they could
”Silence, now,” cried the Major; every one was hushed, and they listened for a few seconds
”It was only one, sir, and he is gone,” said Breo on”
”Only one what?” inquired Alexander
”An elephant, sir,” replied the Hottentot; ”it's well that he did not charge you; he would have tumbled you down the precipice, horse and all
There must be a herd here, and we had better stop as soon as we are down the other side of the hill”
”I think so too,” replied the Major
”I shall not get that shriek out of my ears for a month,” said Alexander; ”why, the roar of a lion can not be so bad”
”Wait till you hear it,” replied Swinton