It was in the afternoon that they moved from Graham's Town. They had
intended to have started earlier, but they found it impossible to
collect the Hottentots, who were taking their farewells of their wives
and the liquor-shops. As it was, most of them were in a state of
intoxication, and it was considered advisable to get them out of the
town as soon as possible. Late in the evening they arrived at Hermann's
Kraal, a small military fort, where they remained for the night, to give
the Hottentots an opportunity of recovering from the effects of the
liquor. The next morning they again started, and the landscape now
changed its aspect, being covered with thick bushes, infested with wild
beasts.
A barren and sterile country was soon spread before them, the sun was
oppressively hot, and not a sign of water was to be observed in any
direction. At last they arrived at a muddy pool, in which elephants had
evidently been enjoying themselves, and the oxen and horses were but too
glad to do the same. At night they halted as before, having lighted
fires to keep off the wild beasts and elephants.
The following morning they renewed their journey at daylight, 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 smoothly gliding through
stupendous mountains and precipices, with verdant valleys on each side
of its banks. In the afternoon they arrived at Fort Wiltshire, the
outermost defence of the colony, situated on the banks of the Keiskamma.
English troops were stationed there, to prevent any marauding parties
from passing the 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
countrymen, and they were kindly received by the officers, they agreed
to remain two days, that they might obtain all the information which
they could, and re-arrange the stowing of the waggons 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 Keiskamma river, had passed the neutral ground, and were in the land
of the Caffres.
Up to the present they had very little trouble with the Hottentots whom
they had hired. As long as they were within reach of the law they
behaved well; but now that they had passed the confines of the Cape
territory, some of them began to show symptoms of insubordination. The
dismissal of one, however, with an order to go back immediately, and
threatening 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, who was considered as their best man
and most practised hunter, begged Alexander and his companions to be
careful how they went along, if they preceded the rest on horseback; as
the elephants always return by the same path at evening or after
nightfall, in whatever direction they may have been feeding, and it is
very dangerous to intercept them.
For two days they continued their course in nearly a straight line for
the missionary establishment. On the second evening, just about dusk,
as they were crossing a woody hill, by the elephants' path, being then
about 200 yards in advance of the waggons, 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 waggons."
Alexander and Swinton joined the Major in the shout, and were soon
accompanied by the whole mass of Hottentots, shouting 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 Bremen. "We may go 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 cannot be so bad."
"Wait till you hear it," replied Swinton.
They had now arrived at the bottom of the hill which they had been
passing, and by the light of the stars they selected a spot for their
encampment. Whether they were near to any Caffre kraals or not it was
impossible to say; but they heard no barking of dogs or lowing of oxen.
Having collected all the cattle, they formed a square of the four
waggons, and passed ropes from the one to the other; the horses and
sheep were driven within the square, and the oxen were, as usual, tied
up to the sides of the waggons.
It should here be observed, that the oxen were turned out to graze early
in the morning, yoked in the afternoon, and they travelled then as far
as they could after nightfall, to avoid the extreme heat of the day, the
continual visits of the Caffres, and the risk of losing the cattle if
they were allowed to be loose and fed during the night.
On the night we have been referring to, a more than usual number of
fires were lighted, to keep off the elephants and other wild animals.
The hyenas and wolves were very numerous, and prowled the whole night in
hopes of getting hold of some of the sheep; but as yet there had not
been seen or heard a lion, although an occasional track had been pointed
out by the Hottentots.
When the Hottentots had finished their labour, our travellers had to
wait till the fires were lighted and a sheep killed before they could
have their suppers cooked by Mahomed. Begum, the baboon, had been
released from her confinement since their crossing the Fish River, and
as usual, when they sat down, came and made one of the party, generally
creeping in close to her master until supper was served, when she would
have her finger in every dish, and steal all she could, sometimes rather
to their annoyance.
Our little Bushman had now quite recovered not only his strength but his
gaiety, and was one of the most amusing little fellows that could be met
with.
He could not make himself understood except to one or two of the
Hottentots; but he was all pantomime, trying, by gestures and signs, to
talk to Mr Swinton and his companions. He endeavoured to assist
Mahomed as much as he could and appeared to have attached himself to
him, for he kept no company with the Hottentots. He was not more than
three feet and a half high, and with limbs remarkably delicate, although
well made. His face was very much like a monkey's, and his gestures and
manners completely so; he was quite as active and full of fun. The
watch had been set as soon as the fires were lighted; and close to where
Alexander and the others were seated, Big Adam, the Hottentot we have
mentioned as having raised doubts in the mind of the Major as to his
courage, had just mounted guard, with his gun in his hand. Omrah came
up to where they were sitting, and they nodded and smiled at him, and
said, "How do you do?" in English.
The boy, who had already picked up a few sentences, answered in the same
words, "How do you do?" and then pointing to Big Adam, whose back was
turned, he began making a number of signs, and nodding his head; at last
he bent down, putting his arm in front of him, and raising it like an
elephant's trunk, walking with the measured steps of that animal, so as
fully to make them understand that he intended to portray an elephant.
Having so done, he went up behind Big Adam, and gave a shriek so exactly
like that which the elephant had given an hour before, that the
Hottentot started up, dropped his musket, and threw himself flat on the
ground, in order that the supposed animal might pass by him unperceived.
The other Hottentots had been equally startled, and had seized their
muskets, looking in every direction for the approach of the animal; but
the convulsions of laughter which proceeded from the party soon told
them that there was nothing to apprehend, and that little Omrah had been
playing his tricks. Big Adam rose up, looking very foolish; he had just
before been telling his companions how many elephants he had killed, and
had been expressing his hopes that they soon should have an
elephant-hunt.
"Well," observed Swinton, after the laugh was over, "it proves that Adam
is an elephant-hunter, and knows what to do in time of danger."
"Yes," replied the Major; "and it also proves that our opinion of him
was just, and that with him the best part of valour is discretion."
"The most wonderful escape from an elephant which we have on record
here," observed Swinton, "is that of Lieutenant Moodie; did you ever
hear of it? I had it from his own lips."
"I never did, at all events," said Alexander; "and if the Major has, he
will listen very patiently, to oblige me."
"I have never heard the precise particulars, and shall therefore be as
glad to be a listener as Wilmot."
"Well, then, I will begin. Lieutenant Moodie was out elephant-hunting
with a party of officers and soldiers, when one day he was told that a
large troop of elephants was close at hand, and that several of the men
were out, and in pursuit of them. Lieutenant Moodie immediately seized
his gun, and went off in the direction where he heard the firing.
"He had forced his way through a jungle, and had just come to a cleared
spot, when he heard some of his people calling out, in English and
Dutch, `Take care, Mr Moodie, take care.' As they called out, he heard
the crackling of branches broken by the elephants as they were bursting
through the wood, and then tremendous screams, such as we heard this
night. Immediately afterwards four elephants burst out from the jungle,
not two hundred yards from where he stood. Being alone on the open
ground, he knew that if he fired and did not kill, he could have no
chance; so he hastily retreated, hoping that the animals would not see
him. On looking back, however, he perceived, to his dismay, that they
were all in chase of him, and rapidly gaining on him; he therefore
resolved to reserve his fire till the last moment, and, turning towards
some precipitous rocks, hoped to gain them before the elephants could
come up with him. But he was still at least fifty paces from the rocks,
when he found that the elephants were within half that distance of
him,--one very large animal, and three smaller,--all in a row, as if
determined that he should not escape, snorting so tremendously that he
was quite stunned with the noise."
"That's what I call a very pretty position," observed the Major. "Go
on, Swinton; the affair is becoming a little nervous."
"As his only chance, Lieutenant Moodie turned round, and levelled his
gun at the largest elephant; but unfortunately the powder was damp, and
the gun hung fire, till he was in the act of taking it from his
shoulder, when it went off, and the ball merely grazed the side of the
elephant's head. The animal halted for an instant, and then made a
furious charge upon him. He fell; whether struck down by the elephant's
trunk he cannot say. The elephant then thrust at him as he lay, with
his tusk; fortunately it had but one, and more fortunately it missed its
mark, ploughing up the ground within an inch of Mr Moodie's body.
"The animal then caught him up with its trunk by his middle, and dashed
him down between his fore-feet to tread him to death. Once it pressed
so heavily on his chest, that all his bones bent under the weight, but
somehow or other, whether from the animal being in a state of alarm, it
never contrived to have its whole weight upon him; for Mr Moodie had
never lost his recollection, and kept twisting his body and his limbs,
so as to prevent it from obtaining a direct tread upon him. Whilst he
was in this state of distress, another officer and a Hottentot hunter
came up to his assistance, and fired several shots at the animal, which
was severely wounded, and the other three took to their heels. At last
the one which had possession of Mr Moodie turned round, and giving him
a cuff with its fore-feet followed the rest. Mr Moodie got up, picked
up his gun, and staggered away as fast as his aching bones would permit
him. He met his brother, who had just been informed by one of the
Hottentots, who had seen him under the elephant, that he was killed."
"Well, that was an escape," observed Wilmot.
"What made it more remarkable was, that he had hardly time to explain to
his brother his miraculous preservation, before he witnessed the death
of one of the hunters, a soldier, who had attracted the notice of a
large male elephant which had been driven out of the jungle. The fierce
animal gave chase to him, and caught him immediately under the height
where Mr Moodie and his brother were standing, carried the poor fellow
for some distance on his trunk, then threw him down, and stamping upon
him until he was quite dead, left the body for a short time. The
elephant then returned, as if to make sure of its destruction; for it
kneeled down on the body, and kneaded it with his fore-legs; then,
rising, it seized it again with its trunk, carried it to the edge of the
jungle, and hurled it into the bushes."
"Dreadful! I had no idea that there was such danger in an
elephant-hunt; yet I must say," continued Alexander, "that, although it
may appear foolishness, it only makes me more anxious to have one."
"Well, as we advance, you will have no want of opportunity; but it will
be better to get the Caffres to join us, which they will with great
delight."
"Why, they have no weapons, except their spears."
"None; but they will attack him with great success, as you will see;
they watch their opportunity as he passes, get behind, and drive their
spears into his body until the animal is exhausted from loss of blood,
and they are so quick that the elephant seldom is able to destroy one of
them. They consider the elephant of as high rank as one of their kings,
and it is very laughable to hear them, as they wound him, beg pardon of
him, and cry out, `Great man, don't be angry; great captain, don't kill
us.'"
"But how is it that they can approach so terrible an animal without
destruction?"
"It is because they do approach quite close to him. An elephant sees
but badly, except straight before him, and he turns with difficulty.
The Caffres are within three feet of his tail or flank when they attack,
and they attack him in the elephant-paths, which are too narrow for the
animal to turn without difficulty; the great risk that they run is from
another elephant breaking out to the assistance of the one attacked."
"The animals do assist each other, then?"
"Yes; there was a remarkable instance of it in the affair of Lieutenant
Moodie. I mentioned that it was a large male elephant which killed the
soldier just after Mr Moodie's escape. Shortly afterwards a shot from
one of the hunters broke the fore-leg of this animal, and prevented him
from running, and there it stood to be fired at. The female elephant,
which was in the jungle, witnessing the distress of its mate, regardless
of her own danger, immediately rushed out to his assistance, chasing
away the hunters, and walking round and round her mate, constantly
returning to his side, and caressing him. When the male attempted to
walk, she had the sagacity to place her flank against the wounded side,
so as to support him, and help him along. At last the female received a
severe wound, and staggered into the bush, where she fell; and the male
was soon after laid prostrate by the side of the poor soldier whom he
had killed."
"There is something very touching in that last portion of your story,
Swinton," observed Alexander; "it really makes one feel a sort of
respect for such intelligent and reasoning animals."
"I think the first portion of the story ought to teach you to respect
them also," said the Major. "Seriously, however, I quite agree with
you; their sagacity, as my Indian experience has taught me, is
wonderful;--but here comes supper, and I am not sorry for it."
"Nor I," replied Alexander. "To-morrow we shall be at the missionary
station, if the guides are correct. I am very anxious to get there, I
must say. Does not the chief of the Amakosa tribe live close to the
Mission-house,--Hinza, as they call him?"
"Yes," replied Swinton, "he does, and we must have a present ready for
him, for I think it would be advisable to ask an escort of his warriors
to go with us after we leave the Mission."
"Yes, it will be quite as well," replied the Major, "and then we shall
have some elephant-hunting; but Bremen tells me that there are plenty of
hippopotami in the river there, close to the Mission."
"Water-elephants," replied Swinton; "I suppose you will not leave them
alone?"
"Certainly not, if our commander-in-chief will allow us to stop."
"I think your commander-in-chief," replied Wilmot, "is just as anxious
to have a day's sport with them as you are, Major; so you will certainly
have his permission."
"I think we ought to put Omrah on a horse. He is a nice light weight
for a spare horse, if required."
"Not a bad idea," replied Alexander. "What a tiger he would make for a
cab in the park!"
"More like a monkey," replied the Major; "but it is time to go to bed;
so, good-night."