Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
The Vee-Boers
A Tale of Adventure in Southern Africa
By Captain Mayne Reid
Published by George Routledge and Sons Ltd, London
This edition dated 1907
The Vee-Boers, by Captain Mayne Reid.
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THE VEE-BOERS, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
CHAPTER ONE.
ON THE KAROO.
A vast plain, seemingly bounded but by the horizon; treeless, save where
a solitary _cameel-doorn_ [Note 1] spreads its feathered leaves, or a
clump of arborescent aloes, mingled with rigid-stemmed euphorbias,
breaks the continuity of its outline. These types of desert vegetation
but proclaim its sterility, which is further evinced by tufts of
whiteish withered grass, growing thinly between them.
Over it three waggons are moving; immense vehicles with bodies above
four yards in length, surrounded by an arching of bamboo canes covered
with canvas. To each is attached eight pairs of long-horned oxen, with
a driver seated on the box, who flourishes a whip, in length like a
fishing-rod; another on foot alongside, wielding the terrible _jambok_,
while at the head of the extended team marches the "foreloper," _reim_
in hand, guiding the oxen along the track.
Half a score horsemen ride here and there upon the flanks, with three
others in advance; and bringing up the rear is a drove of milch cows--
some with calves at the foot--and a flock of _fat-tailed_ sheep, their
tails full fifty pounds in weight, and trailing on the ground.
The cows and sheep are in charge of ten or a dozen dark-skinned
herdsmen, most of them all but naked; while a like number of large
wolfish-looking dogs completes the list of living things visible outside
the waggons. But, were the end curtains raised, under their tilts would
be seen women with children--of both sexes and all ages--in each the
members of a single family, its male head excepted.
Of the last there are three, corresponding to the number of the waggons,
of which they are the respective proprietors--the three men riding in
advance. Their names, Jan Van Dorn, Hans Blom, and Klaas Rynwald. All
Dutch names, and Dutch are they who bear them, at least by descent, for
the scene _is_ Southern Africa, and they are _Boers_.
Not of the ordinary class, though, as may be told by their large
accompaniment of unattached cattle and sheep--over a hundred of the
former, and three times as many of the latter. These, with other signs
well-known to South Africans, proclaim them to be Vee-Boers [Note 2].
They are far away from any settlement of civilised or white men, the
nearest being their own frontier town, Zoutpansberg, in the Transvaal,
from which they are distant full three hundred miles northward. Nor are
they in Transvaalian territory, but that of the Tebele, beyond the
Limpopo river, and journeying on north.
Why they are there calls for explanation, and a word will suffice. The
world has of late heard much of the Transvaal Republic and its brave
people; how distasteful to them was annexation to the English
Government; indeed, so repugnant, that many plucked up the rooftrees
they had but lately planted, and were off again, scarce thinking or
caring whither, so long as they got beyond the reach of British rule.
It is on record--a painful one--that many of those political fugitives
passed through hardships scarce conceivable, and not a few perished by
the way--miserably perished, the victims of fatigue, hunger, and thirst.
And it is of just such a party we purpose giving account of, their
journeyings, adventures, and dangers, by flood and by field.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The time was just after the annexation, and our Vee-Boers, as introduced
to the reader, were weeks away from their abandoned homes in the
Transvaal.
That they had permission to enter the territory of the Tebele, might be
taken for granted, otherwise they would have been on dangerous ground.
For its powerful and despotic chief was not the man to allow intrusion
into his dominions, even by peaceful travellers.
But they had his leave, backed by invitation, not only to pass through,
but make permanent home in them, if they wished. Jan Van Dorn, the
"_baas_" [Note 3] of the migrating party, an old _jager_, had, in bygone
days, hunted all over the Tebele country, smoked the pipe of peace with
Moselekatse himself, and so established a friendship still existing. In
one of his expeditions he had discovered a magnificent grazing country--
a very paradise for the Vee-Boer--and it was for this they were now
making.
They were journeying by night, or rather early morning, before daybreak.
It was not their habit to lie late; but just then they had more than
one reason for being up betimes and moving. It was in the Torrid Zone,
where travelling by day is oft a very torture, especially over a plain
such as that they were crossing.
They had entered upon a track of _karoo_ [Note 4], which they knew to
extend for more than 100 miles; treeless, shadeless, and without water,
save here and there in pools, or natural cisterns, at long distances
apart. Besides, no rain had fallen on it for months, and like as not
the water reservoirs would all be dried up. Not strange, then, their
travelling by night, as by day; for it was life or death to them to get
across the karoo.
Luckily they were favoured by moonlight, with stars in a clear,
unclouded sky, which insured them against straying from the practicable
route. And as their guide, a Hottentot, by name Smutz knew every inch
of it, they had confidence in his piloting.
So on they moved, noiselessly, save when now and then crack of whip, the
sharp snap of a _jambok_ [Note 5], or the ejaculations of the men
wielding this formidable instrument of animal torture, disturbed the
stillness of the night. More rarely was it broken by the rumble of
wheels, these for the most part being fellies deep in soft, yielding
sand.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. The "cameel-doorn," literally, camel-thorn, is a species of
acacia, whose tender shoots and leaves are the favourite food of the
cameleopard, or giraffe. It is a common and characteristic tree in most
districts of southern Africa, having pinnate leaves, and, like most of
the acacia tribe, bright yellow blossoms.
Note 2. "Vee-boers" are distinguished from other Boers by their special
employment being the grazing and raising of cattle. To this they devote
themselves exclusively, as the _stockmen_ of Australia, and the
_ranchmen_ of Western America. They have no fixed habitation, flitting
about from place to place with their flocks wherever the pasture tempts
them, and making house and home of their huge _trek-waggons_, just as
the "cheap jacks" of England. They have tents also, and sometimes erect
rude huts.
Note 3. "Baas," master. It is synonymous with the "boss" of the
Southern United States, which, no doubt, was carried thither by the
slave negroes who had had dealings with the Dutch of South Africa.
Note 4. The "karoos" of Southern Africa may be compared with our
moorlands, only more extended in area, and with a different sort of
vegetation. Heaths of many beautiful species are among their
characteristic plants, as all may know who take a pride in the keeping
of hothouses.
Note 5. The "jambok," or "schambok," is an elastic whip, all stock and
no lash, or if you like, _vice versa_. Some six feet long, it tapers
from a butt of about an inch in diameter to the tiniest tip; and, when
forcibly laid on, will make _weals_ on the skin of a horse, and cut that
of a man clean through. It is a cruel instrument of torture, and, I
regret to say, not exclusively employed to punish animals, as the
natives of South Africa too well know. To threaten a disobedient
servant with the jambok--be he Hottentot, Fingo, or Caffre--is to bring
him back to kneeling obeisance. The best jamboks are made of
hippopotamus hide.
CHAPTER TWO.
A WEIRD SPECTACLE.
Going at a slow crawl in profound silence, the huge vehicles, with their
dark bodies and white tilts, the long serried line of yoked oxen
extended in advance of them, would have presented a strange mystifying
spectacle to one not knowing what it was. Weird and ghostlike under the
silvery light of the moon, a native of the country, where such had never
been seen before, viewing it from a distance, might have imagined it
some monster of a world unknown.
But before morning came, the travellers were themselves witnesses of a
spectacle common enough in that same district, yet, in seeming, quite as
strange and mysterious as that of the waggon-train.
Proceeding in the opposite direction, and at no great distance off,
appeared a number of dark forms, one following the other in single file.
Immense creatures they were; each nearly as large as any of the
waggons, but, unlike these, living and breathing. For they were
elephants--a troop on the march--nigh threescore in number, their line
extending for hundreds and hundreds of yards across the karoo. They
were passing on silent as spectres, the tread of the ponderous pachyderm
being noiseless as that of a cat. Even on stony ground it is scarce
distinguishable at the shortest distance, and on that sand-bestrewed
plain it made not the slightest sound to betray their presence.
Adding to their spectral appearance were the long, withered grass-tufts
and karoo bushes, white as if coated with hoar frost. These concealing
their stride, they seemed to glide along as boats upon water, propelled
by some invisible agency, acting underneath.
To the Vee-Boers, as much hunters as herdsmen, it was a tempting,
tantalising sight, and under other circumstances the silence of the
night would have been broken by the cracking of shots. But they knew
that to attack the elephants might infuriate and bring them in charge
upon the waggon-train, which would surely be its destruction. [Note 1.]
So they resisted the temptation, and let the herd pass on; the two
parties, silent and weird-like as ever, gradually widening the space
between, till at length they were beyond sight of one another.
Soon after daylight declared itself; but it brought no rest to the now
wearied wayfarers--not even when the sun had risen high above the
horizon. For they had failed to come across any water, and halting
without that were worse than keeping on. Already suffering from thirst,
it would but prolong their suffering to make stop or stay.
Several of the so-called cisterns, or natural tanks, had been passed,
and as many pools, but all were dry, or with only just enough moisture
to keep the mud in their bottoms. Remaining by these would be rest
neither to them nor the animals, now needing water as much or more than
themselves.
Another element also contributed to their torture--heat. As the sun
mounted higher in the firmament, this became excessive; so sultry that
men and animals were perspiring at every pore; while on the ground, hot
as the floor of a baker's oven, it was painful to set foot.
The shoeless natives--Hottentots and Caffres alike--suffered especially,
notwithstanding the soles of their feet being callous, and hard as horn.
Some were seen to adopt a singular plan for keeping them cool--by a
plaster of mud, taken from the waterless but still moist pools, applying
it poultice-fashion, and at intervals damping them with the juice of the
euphorbia, and other succulent plants.
Equally odd, and more amusing, was the behaviour of the dogs. They
would make a rush ahead of the waggons; dive under a bush, tussock of
grass, or anything giving shade; and there lie panting till the train
got past. Then, rising reluctantly, they would stand for a time
contemplating the heated surface of sand, afraid to set paw upon it;
whine piteously; and finally, with a plunge, start off afresh, dash past
the waggons, and repeat the performance as before.
Thus on over the sun-parched plain moved the party of migrant Boers; but
not now silent as in the night. What with oxen bellowing, cows lowing
in response to their bawling calves, sheep bleating, and dogs howling,
there was noise enough, and a surfeit of it.
And mingling with these cries of distress, at intervals came the crack
of a whip, loud as the report of a pistol, and the shouts of the drivers
urging their oxen on.
As if to add to their difficulty, they had entered upon a tract thickly
overgrown with _waaght-een-beetje_ [Note 2]; while those of them who
were on foot, had their ankles lacerated by the "_grapple-plant_."
[Note 3.]
Retarded by these various obstructions, they made but slow progress;
less than three miles an hour--the orthodox rate of speed made by South
African travellers "on trek;" and it had come to be a struggle painful
as it was perilous. Fearfully dispiriting too; since they knew not when
or how it was to end. Their sole hope rested on a large pond or lake
their guide told them of, and which he had never known to go dry. But
it was still over ten miles distant, which meant at least four hours of
time--an appalling prospect in their then condition; men, horses, and
oxen, all athirst, all tottering in their steps. There was no help for
it, no alternative, but keep on; and on they kept.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Elephants often march in single file--indeed, it is their
common way--the sagacity of these animals telling them they are thus
less exposed to danger. Often, too, a party of hunters, especially
Vee-Boers, well acquainted with the habits of the great pachyderms, will
allow them to pass unmolested, to be pursued and attacked farther on. A
charge of infuriated elephants on a camp might result in its wholesale
destruction.
Note 2. "Waaght-een-beetje" is the Dutch synonym for "Wait-a-bit." The
tree or bush, so quaintly designated, is another of the many species of
South African acacias having spines sharp as fish-hooks and so set as to
hold on whatever they have caught, requiring skill, with an expenditure
of time, to get clear of them. It is the _acacia detinens_ of the
botanists.
Note 3. The "Grapple-plant" (uncaria procumbens) is a creeper, with
beautiful purple blossoms and a fruit beset with hooked spines that
readily catch on to the clothes, or even the skin. It is very
troublesome to the barefooted natives who may have occasion to pass over
ground where it grows.
CHAPTER THREE.
A BATTUE OF LIONS.
It was well on in the afternoon when the travellers perceived a dark
belt rising above the plain at a long distance off, but directly on
their line of march. A glad sight to their eyes, as they could tell it
to be timber, and knew they would there find the _vley_ [Note 1] of
which their guide had fore-warned them. The prospect of water, shade,
and rest, all at the same time, and all so much needed, inspired them to
renewed speed; and the ponderous waggons seemed to move more lightly
along, while their conductors were merrier--drivers, after jambok men,
and forelopers. Even the dumb animals, becoming infected with the same
spirit, partook of the general rejoicing, as though they also knew that
relief was near.
Yet was it far off as ever. The promise that cheered them was not to be
fulfilled. On reaching the timber at the point where the vley was, or
should have been, they found this too dried up, as all the others. In
its bed were only pebbles and white sand, from which were reflected the
rays of the setting sun, as from a sheet of frosted snow! So much for
their hopes of water; and as for shade, the trees proved to be _mopanes_
[Note 2] whose leaves grow vertically on the branches, and, like the
eucalypti of Australia, afford no more protection from the sun than
would a network of wire!
Nor was this the worst. Scarce had they come to a stop by the wood's
edge, when they heard issuing out of it a noise well-known both to
themselves and their animals, and by both equally dreaded. For it was
the roar of the lion; not one lion, but more like a score of them,
roaring together, as if each was doing its best to outroar all the rest.
The place appeared to be infested with the formidable brutes--a very
lair of them; and the fearful fracas they were making caused horses,
oxen, cows--in short, every four-footed creature in the train to dance
affrightedly about as though no longer feeling fatigue. To ordinary
travellers the noise, with its attendant dangers, would have been
appalling; and even among them there was momentary alarm. But they were
Boers of the Transvaal, of courage proverbial and historic; still more,
Vee-Boers, who are as much hunters as graziers, and little regard to the
lion's roar. It was only because of there being such a chorus of it,
that they were for a time taken back.
Soon recovering themselves, however, there was a general rush towards
the waggons, in which they habitually kept their _roers_ [Note 3]; when,
each armed himself with one of these long guns, front was made to the
foe, still giving tongue, though as yet unseen.
Not for long were the lions chary about putting in an appearance. Soon
their tawny skins were seen glistening among the trunks of the mopanes
zigzagging from point to point, and at each slant drawing nigher to the
spot where the waggons had drawn up.
It was now seen that there were quite twenty of them, or more; while the
intonation of their cries--full of fury and menace--told of the intended
attack. Had they made it on the moment, and simultaneously, it would
have been all up with the travellers--at the very least would there have
been wholesale destruction among their animals.
But, luckily for them, the lion does not always attack on the instant;
more often making approach progressively, and with the caution of the
common cat, as most others of the _felidae_. Probably had the prey they
contemplated springing on been a party of naked natives, with no other
defence than their skin shields, the _leeuws_ [Note 4] would have acted
differently. But seeing before them that strange array--the waggons
with their white tilts, a spectacle in all likelihood new to them--it
was but natural they should feel shy about beginning the assault. It
could not be actual fear, a feeling unknown to the African lion, in
those districts where it is unaccustomed to meet the white man, with his
death-dealing weapons; more like was it mystification at sight of the
huge vehicles larger than elephants, and which, for all the lions knew,
might be also living things, and far more dangerous.
Whether from this, or whatever cause, the great felines hesitated to
make approach, though gradually drawing nigher, as the confidence became
strengthened by their receiving no hurt from the singular monsters that
had intruded upon their domain.
This up to a certain moment; then they were saluted by a sound louder
than that they were themselves making, as the Vee-Boers poured a volley
upon them, which silenced half their number, by dropping them dead in
their tracks.
The rest did not retreat, but stood their ground, to all appearance more
mystified than ever. They had heard thunder, and seen lightning, but
never with an accompaniment of smoke, such as they now saw, wondering
what it all meant. And while still unresolved, and hesitating how to
act, the thick blue mist, which for a while had screened them, drifted
aside, to be replaced by another and similar screen as the reloaded raw
blazed forth again.
After the second volley, only two or three live lions remained upon the
ground; these seeming wounded, as they went limping off among the
mopanes.
For the Vee-Boers it was a victory easier than they had anticipated; and
over Royalty itself--a _battue_ of grandest game, the kings of beasts.
On gathering up the slain, they found fifteen of the _leeuws_, young and
old, male and female, six being lions, the rest lionesses.
The reason for so many having congregated there was the drought. Up
till a late period there had been wafer in the vley, making it a
rendezvous for buffaloes, antelopes, and other ruminants; many skeletons
of which lay around, with bones clean picked--the work of these same
lions, and other carnivora. But in time instinct had directed the
cud-chewing animals to repair to other places, where the water was of
surer supply; while the predatory species, more able to bear thirst, and
hunger too, had stayed behind. Hence such a number found crowding
together; and their having been for some time without food--indeed,
half-famished, as it proved on examination of their carcases--will
account for their uniting to attack the travellers--an attempt so
cleverly and completely foiled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. "Vley." The synonym in Dutch for a lake of limited extent--a
pond, or pool.
Note 2. The "mopane" is a tree belonging to the family of "banhinias,"
with pinnate leaves set point upwards, so that the sun glints down
between, and scarce any shade is given by the tree, even when in full
foliage.
Note 3. "Roer." The sort of gun in common use among the South African
Dutch. It is a single barrel of great length and carry far.
Note 4. "Leeuw." The Boers' name for the "king of beasts."
CHAPTER FOUR.
THE TULP.
Meanwhile the waggons had been left standing just as they drew up, the
oxen still under yoke. And now came the question, whether to "outspann"
[Note 1], or not.
It was but of short debate, however, as all were convinced of the
uselessness of remaining there. Indeed more than useless; since they
would only be wasting time; and, thirsting as they were, that meant
everything. Besides, their guide knew of another vley some miles
farther on, where he had still better hopes of finding water--now their
greatest want. The heat no longer discomforted them, as the sun had got
low, and the atmosphere become as cool as they cared for. They might
expect moonlight, too, as on the night before, which would also be in
their favour. So, tired though they were, it was determined to trek on.
While this resolve was being arrived at, an incident occurred which was
calculated to make them thankful they had not already out-spanned.
Indeed, as they soon after came to know, it was rather a fortunate
circumstance their finding the vley dried up. Had there been water in
it, they would surely have stayed there all night, to discover next
morning that their horses and oxen would not be worth taking farther--
even unable to take themselves. Their milch kine would also have been
sacrificed, as in reality were their sheep, to the last hoof. Luckily
all but the sheep escaped, though with the driven cattle, milk cows, and
their calves, it was the closest of shaves. In that grove--for it was a
wood of only a few score acres in extent--there was a something even
more dangerous than lions, at least to grass-eating animals. A plant it
was which grew under the mopanes, green as a leek, and not unlike one in
its leafage, covering the ground thickly, as onions in a garden bed.
The Vee-Boers knew the plant well--too well--and, but for their
attention being absorbed by the encounter with the lions, would long
before have observed it. As it was, they only became aware of its
presence on seeing their sheep--that had been left for a time to
themselves--greedily browsing upon it. The _lanigers_ were hungry as
wolves, and would have eaten anything green that chanced in their way;
so the whole flock, as soon as getting up to the wood's edge, had rushed
in among the trees, open-mouthed at what seemed a tempting morsel.
It was the _baas_ of the travelling party--Jan Van Dorn himself--who
first perceived the danger, and sounded the alarm, crying out--
"Oh, brothers! We've lost our sheep! See what they're feeding on; it's
the _tulp_!" [Note 2.]
They thus addressed, needed no further explanation of a word which to
the reader may be unintelligible. For there was not a man of them but
knew what the _tulp_ was, and its poisonous nature--possibly not one
whose herds and flocks had not some time or other been decimated by it.
Soon as it was seen how things stood, there was a rush in among the
mopanes, a surrounding of the sheep, and a chorus of shouts, as they
were driven out again to open ground. But all too late, as every one
seemed to be aware; and when at length the forward movement was about
being resumed, it became a subject of discussion whether it would be
worth while taking these animals along.
Still there was a hope that, however faint, some of them might survive,
and leaning upon this, along were they taken; their owners making all
haste to depart from a spot alike dangerous in its _flora_ as its
_fauna_.
Once more was there a cracking of whips, and the oxen, straightening out
along the _trek-touw_ [Note 3], moved reluctantly on.
And now the moon, as had been anticipated, giving a bright light, the
travellers made good way; before midnight arriving at the second vley,
where fortunately there was still a _soupcon_ of water. It was not
visible above the surface of sand that formed the vley's bed; but on
examination, several cavities were discovered in which appeared the much
wished-for element, that had been hollowed out by the hoofs of quaggas
and zebras. Writers talk of instinct teaching these animals to dig
their own drinking wells; but the teaching in reality comes from a
process of reasoning-intelligence, as that of man himself. All
naturalists know that, as indeed ought every one who owns dog or cat,
and has observed either spring up to a door-handle, making attempt with
manifest design to draw the door open.
Now, thirsting like sponges, the travellers out-spanned, and speedily.
All hands that could be spared from looking after the cattle set about
sinking a pit in the sand; into which, soon came water enough for all
their needs.
It required caution, however, with much shouting, and wielding of
jamboks, to keep the animals out of it. The scent of the water had
reached their nostrils, an attraction irresistible, and horses neighed,
yoke-oxen bellowed, cows groaned in chorus with their bawling calves,
all madly eager to wet their muzzles, and quench their thirst that had
so long tortured them.
But the Vee-Boers, accustomed to such display, knew the precautions to
be taken; so kept the impatient creatures under restraint and aloof, at
length giving them to drink, from the "rush-buckets" [Note 4], which
were part of their _impedimenta_.
Their own thirst satisfied, then that of their stock, supper was eaten
heartily, and they retired to rest and sleep. Not all, however; nearly
a third of their number remaining awake, and on the alert, as guards of
the camp. They had no fear of their animals wandering away, fatigued as
these were. Even had it been otherwise, and ever so fresh, their
straying would have been little apprehended. For _on trek_, horses and
cattle--in short all domesticated quadrupeds--regard the great waggons
as they would the houses of a homestead, and will return to them just
the same. Instinct--or, from what has been said above, rather reason--
admonishes them that beside these is their best place, safest from the
attack of predatory beasts--above all, from the lion, the real
_bete-noir_ of South African cattle.
Those of our travelling party had been sufficiently frightened at their
last halting-place, to keep them cowed, and tame, for at least
twenty-four hours after; and just so were they, starting and trembling
at every cry of wild creature that reached their ears--even at that of
the cowardly hyaena.
And here they heard lions too, though none came near. At this vley,
still affording enough water to attract fat quaggas, zebras, and
gemsboks, the tawny monsters needed not whetting their teeth on tame
cattle, lean and tough as those of the Vee-Boers had got to be.
So the night passed by without further disturbance or adventure; day
broke again; breakfast was eaten; the oxen invoked; and the journey over
the _karoo_ continued.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. "Outspann." The word has a general meaning, and refers not
only to detaching the animals from the vehicles, but making halt either
temporarily or for the night.
Note 2. "Tulp." The Dutch name for "tulip," of which it is but an
abbreviated form. The plant itself is so called from its resemblance to
the tulip, both in leaf and flower. It is of the iris family, and the
genus _morosa_.
Note 3. "Trek-touw." The long cable-like rope of raw hide continuing
the "tongue," or pole, of the waggons, and to which the forward pairs of
oxen are attached. They are also made fast to it at night, when there
is any fear of their straying from the camp.
Note 4. The "milk-baskets" of the Caffres are frequently in use among
the Vee-Boers, when on trek, their lightness making them more convenient
than vessels of a heavier kind. They are made of the stems of a species
of "cyperus," a rush allied to the "Paper-reed," sewed so closely
together that when dry they will hold water. The Caffres use them as
milk pails, and, when emptied, their dogs are allowed to lick them
clean. The cleaning is still further carried out by an insect--a
species of cockroach (_Blatta_), which eats what remains of the milk
from the interstices between the rushes. So important are these roaches
regarded for this purpose, that a Caffre on erecting a new hut, will
take his milk-baskets into an old one, and, as soon as a sufficient
number of the insects have entered them, will carry the vessels back to
where their services are required.
The Vee-Boers--by Captain Mayne Reid
CHAPTER FIVE.
UNDER THE MOWANA.
Three waggons drawn up under the shade of a gigantic _mowana_ [Note 1]--
the waggons of the Vee-Boers after their long, toilsome, and perilous
journey across the _karoo_. They are again out-spanned, but now in
_laager_, which tells of an intention to remain there for some little
time. The vehicles are set in such fashion as to enclose a rectangular
space, open at one end; while around them, at some distance off, a
circular fence of thorny bushes roughly form a _chevaux-de-frise_, to
hinder lions, hyaenas, and other marauders from approaching too near.
Seemingly, the ground has been judiciously chosen, with an eye to the
three chief requisites of a camp--grass, wood, and water. It is
contiguous to the bank of a clear, running stream, on each side fringed
with a belt of timber, trees of many different kinds; while landward,
far as eye can reach, extends an open _veldt_, [Note 2], grass-covered,
and affording plenteous pasturage for their cattle. These are all now
on it; oxen and milch-kine; the horses, too, hoppled neck-and-knee, to
keep them from straying. But just now there is little fear of that, the
animals not yet having recovered from the Karoo journey, and all are
browsing tranquilly.
The sheep are not there--not one of them. If looked for, they would be
found--or rather their carcases--lying here and there along the line of
yesterday's trek; though, like as not, even the carcases would not be
there, only the skins and bones; the flesh long since devoured by
jackals, hyenas, and vultures.
In addition to wood, water, and grass, the camp-ground enjoys another
convenience--in tropical Africa, nearly as essential as any of the
three--shade. The _mowana_, [Note 3], with its wide extending arms, and
thickly set foliage, casts shadow over a circle of full fifty yards
diameter, and underneath it there is room for everybody and everything.
The hour is ten o'clock in the morning; the travellers having arrived
there in the afternoon of the preceding day. That they have not been
idle since can be told by the work done. The laager-fence itself must
have cost time and labour in its construction; while inside it are other
evidences of industry. Much of the lading of the waggons is out, and on
the ground, to be re-packed and re-arranged for further transport; while
upon lines, stretched from tree to tree, hang all sorts of _lingerie_ in
the process of drying; proof that the washerwomen of the party had been
up and stirring betimes.
And this work, with many other kinds, is still in progress; not only the
women and girls, but the men and boys being actively engaged one way or
another. Some of the older hands are repairing saddles, bridles, and
harness-gear; others mend _vel-schoenen_ [Note 4]; and still others look
to the waggon-wheels, whose spokes and fellies, contracted by the
drought, have been for some time threatening to part company. A lapping
of wet raw hide, when it dries, will bind, and hold them together, firm
as any clasp or screw of iron; this every South African traveller knows,
and none better than a Vee-Boer.
Some of the women are occupied with their needles, which they ply with a
skill not excelled by the most accomplished Parisian _coturiere_; others
milk the cows, led inside the laager for this purpose, while yet others
are engaged in preparing the _morgen-maal_ [Note 5]. It is being cooked
on a kitchen-range, of quaint, primitive kind, such as may be met with
only in Southern Africa. Hand of man has had nought to do with its
manufacture, nor has there been any iron employed in it. Instead, it is
an earthen structure; part mud, and part a gummy, glutinous substance
secreted by insects, these having been its constructors. For the
cooking-stove in question, is neither more nor less than an ant-hill,
the home of a hive of _termites_ [Note 6] of which there are several
near. For some reason or other abandoned by its builders, it has been
easily transformed to the use now made of it. On the night before, a
number of cavities had been hollowed out around its base, fires kindled
therein, and tires of shelves cut into the sides above them. Now, at
ten am, the whole mass is at furnace heat, kettles boiling, stewpots
simmering, and frying-pans hissing--in short, a complete _batterie de
cuisine_ in stridulous activity.
One unaccustomed to Transvaalian cookery might not greatly relish the
viands in preparation; the meat part of them being mostly antelope
flesh, fried in lard rendered from the tails of the fat-tailed sheep.
None of it, however, came from those lately poisoned by the tulp, the
travellers having previously laid in a supply, sufficient to last them
to the end of their contemplated journey. For the lard in question is a
staple commodity among the Dutch colonists of South Africa, kept in
stock not only in their houses, but carried with them in their waggons
when on trek. It is often used as a substitute for butter, and however
distasteful to the palate of strangers, by the Boers it is regarded of
first _gout_.
And now the savoury steam, exhaling from the pots and pans, fills the
air with a fragrance more agreeable to the nostrils of the travellers
than all the odours of Araby. So appetising is it, that all are madly
impatient to partake of the _morgen-maal_.
This they do as soon as culinary operations are ended, coffee being an
accompaniment to the more substantial dishes. After which the white men
of the party indulge in a "soupie" of _brandeywyn_ [Note 7] winding up
with a smoke; when all return to the tasks of the day. The children
alone remain idle at play; some of the most courageous boys climbing up
among the branches of the mowana, for the tempting fruit seen there.
But the work of none is now of long continuance, only up till about
twelve noon. Then it is necessarily suspended on account of the sultry
heat, and all congregate under the mowana; the animals seeking shade
beneath other umbrageous trees that stand by the side of their pasture
ground.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. "Mowana" is the South African synonym for the "baobab"
(_Adansonia digitata_).
Note 2. "Veldt" is a tract of grassy plain or prairie. It is in part
synonymous with our word "field," which we have changed from its ancient
form, and partly from its signification.
Note 3. As all know, the mowana, or baobab, is one of the largest of
trees; specimens being met with having a girth of nearly 100 feet. It
is not proportionately tall, however--nothing like the _sequoias_ of
California. Its leaves dried and pulverised are used as an antidote to
various diseases, as diarrhoea, fevers, etc. Its fruit is slightly
acid, but well-flavoured, and is eaten by the natives of tropical
Africa. The mowana is essentially a tree of the tropics.
Note 4. "Vel-Schoenen." Literally "skin shoes." They are made of
untanned hide and sewed with thongs of the same. They are worn by many
Boers, though it is their Hottentot servants who make and mend them.
One of these yellow-skinned cobblers will make a pair of Vel-Schoenen in
less than a couple of hours.
Note 5. The "morgen-maal" (morning meal) of the Cape Dutch is a more
substantial repast than an ordinary English breakfast, being quite as
much a dinner. The hour for eating it is about eleven am; but there is
usually an earlier _dejeuner_ consisting of a cup of coffee, and a slice
of bread, or cake.
Note 6. The "termites," or white ants as more commonly called, often
make their "hills" as large as good-sized hay cocks, to which they bear
a strong resemblance. It is quite a common thing for _Trek_ or _Vee_
Boers to utilise them as above described.
Note 7. "Brandeywyn." A liquor of the brandy or whisky specialty,
distilled from peaches. It is the common tipple in use among the Dutch
colonists of the Cape, and other parts of South Africa.
CHAPTER SIX.
A RUSH OF BUFFALOES.
It had come to be late in the afternoon, with a cooler atmosphere as the
sun sank towards the horizon; but as most of the necessary jobs had been
done in the morning, there was no resumption of work. Milking the cows,
and feeding the calves, were the only tasks that now occupied the people
of the laager, and these were entrusted to the Caffre attendants, well
up in all matters relating to cow-kine and the dairy. Indeed, all the
different tribes of this race, whether of Kaffirland proper, or the more
northerly Zululand, look upon cattle as their chief source of wealth and
subsistence.
Some of the women had set about the evening meal; when the younger men--
nearly all sons, nephews, or other relatives of Van Dorn, Blom, and
Rynwald--bethought them of spending an hour or so in shooting at a
target, the sport of their preference, and encouraged by the elders.
For by a people, part of whose food is obtained through the chase, and
whose every-day life exposes them to its perils, being a good marksman
is naturally held in high estimation.
Getting hold of their guns, therefore, the young Boers proceeded to the
open veldt; and, after making up a match, commenced practice, the shell
of an ostrich's egg serving them for mark. This most of them could hit
at 100 paces distance, four times out of six; and at 200 would not often
miss it. Their long roers carried still farther, and an ordinary-sized
antelope, even at 300, would have stood but little chance with them.
And now there was keen competition between these young marksmen, with a
desire to excel, quite as much as among our crack-shots at Wimbledon.
But they had not been long thus occupied, when their ears were saluted
by a sound, admonishing them they might soon expect something to shoot
at very different from an egg-shell. From afar, over the plain, came a
noise like the rumbling of distant thunder, growing louder as they
listened; at length to be recognised as the quick trample of buffaloes--
a herd of them "on the run." And that they were running in the
direction of the laager could be told by the continually increasing
sound. But soon there was no doubt of it; the animals themselves being
seen, as they came crashing through a tract of bush on the farther side
of the veldt, and bounding on over the open. An immense herd it was,
blackening the green sward to the width of a hundred yards, and thick as
sheep in a flock.
To the amateur British Nimrod in South Africa the sight of such big
game, and in such plenty, would have imparted pleasure instead of
begetting fear. And in the same light the young Boers would have
regarded it, but for a circumstance that presented the spectacle in an
altogether different aspect--one of danger. Alongside the great tree,
under which their camp was placed, ran an open list leading down to the
river, and, in all probability, the buffaloes would pass that way,
making for the water. Indeed, they were heading straight for it; though
drink might not be their object. Their maddened bounds and loud
bellowing, as they came thundering on, seemed to betoken some other
cause of excitement than thirst. However that might be, it soon became
evident they meant to pass under the mowana, right through the laager.
The enclosing fence of thorns would be no obstruction to them, any more
than if it were of reeds or straw; and woe to all who should chance to
be in their way! Tornado or cyclone would not be more destructive.
By this every one in the camp, and every living creature around it, had
become aware of the threatening peril. Men shouted, women shrieked, the
children screaming in chorus; while the horses neighed affrightedly,
dancing about in their hopples; the cattle lowed and routed; and the
dogs ran to and fro, some barking, some angrily growling. In short, the
place lately so tranquil, most of its occupants indulging in the
_dolce-far-niente_, was suddenly transformed into what seemed a
Pandemonium.
Meanwhile, the young marksmen out in the open had not been idle. If
taken by surprise, they felt no dismay, nor aught rendering them
powerless to act. Instead, soon as convinced that the buffaloes were
bent for passing under the mowana, one and all made a rush towards their
horses, calling out to those in the camp to bring saddles and bridles.
They knew that the likeliest way to stem the advancing torrent was to
present front to it on horseback; and there might be time, as the
foremost of the buffaloes were still nearly a mile off. It would be
quick work; but luckily the hoppled horses were easily and quickly
caught, and in a trice bridled and saddled. Then, each mounting his
own--the whole party numbering nigh a dozen--they galloped out upon the
veldt to meet the advancing enemy. Scarce another minute elapsed before
their horses' heads were within less than 300 yards from those of the
foremost buffaloes; there for an instant to be drawn up, though there
was no stoppage on the part of the bovines. And had the young Boers
stayed silent when they halted, in all likelihood both they and their
horses would in another minute have been run over, and trampled to
death. But they did not stay silent; instead, all together raised gun
to shoulder, and taking good aim, delivered a volley right in the faces
of the black brutes that threatened them. There was a responsive
crashing from some of their bullets, that only struck the great
buttressed horns; but half-a-dozen of them told better, and a like
number of the buffaloes, headmost of the herd, were seen to tumble over
on the sward, dead as door-nails; the impetus of their rush shooting
them their full body's length in advance of the rest.
The reports of the roers, their blaze and smoke--sounds and sights, in
all probability, new to the wild animals--had an effect upon them
instantaneous and deterrent. Whatever had been their worry behind,
whether pursuit by lions or otherwise, it was now less a thing of fear
than that they saw in front. So one and all came to a stop, quickly as
they could gather up their legs. It took time, though, the masses
behind forcing the front rank forward, beyond where it was inclined to
go.
Perhaps all might have resumed their onward career and the dreaded
catastrophe, occurred all the same, had not the young Boers taken other
precautions to prevent it. In this they succeeded, by a continuous
shouting, yelling at the highest pitch of voice, while they hurriedly
rammed powder and ball down the barrels of their roers; and when these
were reloaded poured a second volley into the hesitating herd. It
brought another half-dozen of the buffaloes to grass; but that was a
thing they little cared about. Far more would they have been pleased to
see the animals turn tail, and make away from them.
And with this very sight were they gratified in an instant after. The
first fusillade, with its fire and smoke, to say nothing of the fatal
effects, had caused fear among the wild bovines; the second brought
dismay, and, not desiring to encounter a third, the headmost of the herd
swung round, followed by the rearmost, all going off in a direction that
would carry them wide of the mowana.
"Praise be to God, our people are saved!" was the thought of the young
Boers, more than one of them giving vocal expression to it.
CHAPTER SEVEN.
A BUFFALO CHASE.
As the danger seemed averted, and there seemed no likelihood of its
recurrence, most of the young Boers drew up around the fallen buffaloes,
and dismounted to _gralloch_ and skin them. Three, however, who had
become excited beyond restraint, kept to their saddles, and went after
the retreating herd. This trio of implacable pursuers were Piet Van
Dorn, the eldest son of Jari; Andries Blom, a nephew of Hans; a son of
Klass Rynwald; all three nearly of an age. But between the two first
there had long been rivalry as to which was the more accomplished
hunter, with rivalry of another sort presently to be spoken of.
Their horses being of lighter hoof than the heavy bovines, they were not
long in again coming up with the latter; each, soon as within
shot-range, singling out one, and delivering his fire. But only two of
the buffaloes fell; the third, which was that aimed at by Van Dorn,
though hit, keeping its feet and running on. Not with the herd,
however, for the sting of the shot seemed to drive it crazy; and,
separating from the rest, it struck to the left and went scouring off
alone.
But it was not to escape thus, at least unpursued. Rather than it
should, Piet Van Dorn would have ridden his horse to death, and almost
to dying himself. His hunter pride was touched, and something more.
What would Katharine Rynwald say--what think--on hearing that he had
fired and failed to bring down the thing fired at--he alone of all the
three? And she would be sure to hear of it; ay, be told of it within
the hour. The cynical and satisfied smile on Andries Blom's face, as he
saw the wounded buffalo bound away, seemingly but little hurt, was sure
promise that the fair Katharine would come to know all about it. So
without waiting to say a word to the other two, Van Dorn reined round to
the left, and pressed his horse to top speed, reloading his gun as he
galloped.
Perhaps young Rynwald would have followed to lend him a helping hand,
but for Blom. The latter did not want that buffalo killed; instead, he
hoped with all his heart that it might still escape. And to give it a
better chance, he cried out to the brother of Katharine, who bore his
father's name--
"Klass! let us two follow the drove, and bring down another couple, so
that the camp people may have plenty of meat--dogs and all. We mayn't
have such a chance for months."
Thus appealed to, Klass thought no more about helping Van Dorn, but
dashed on after the other, who had already started in pursuit of the
herd. They did not again come up with it, however; but that signified
little to Andries Blom.