CHAPTER XXX.
THE LAST HUNT—THREE PROPOSALS—"STILL WATERS RUN
DEEP"—THE END.
As we neared the river their doses of brandy and opium were considerably reduced, so that by the time we had crossed the Luranga they were fairly sobered up. They had been supplied with all they wanted to eat, which was not a great deal; but as they got the opium out of their systems their appetites returned, and before their departure they had an abundant meal of stewed meat and steaks, cooked over the fire. We loaded them with presents—that is, we gave each of them a cotton shirt, three yards of cloth, and two strings of beads—so that they went back to the north side of the river feeling very proud, happy, and rich, though possibly they may have had some misgivings as to the reception which awaited them on their arrival at the king's kraal. The king had a pleasant habit of beheading or strangling those of his people who displeased him, and it was on this account that I impressed the envoys with the idea that the whole affair was due to the white man's magic, and the innocent soldiers were not in the least to blame.
Shortly after the soldiers joined their comrades on the north bank the whole party marched away into the country back of the river and disappeared among the hills. We were fearful that they might attempt a raid upon us during the night, and so, about sunset, we inspanned again and traveled by moonlight until a late hour, a new axle having been made to replace the broken one. We felt sure that the fellows would not proceed far into the region where they did not belong, lest they might encounter some of the soldiers of the king who owned the land, and in that event there would be sure to be a fight.
We trekked on again the next night, and then went into kraal about half a mile from a water-hole, which was the drinking-place of a large number of elephants, buffaloes, elands, and other animals, not to omit lions and leopards. We found a small spring of water close to where we outspanned, sufficient for the use of our party, including the oxen and horses, but not large enough to be a favorite spot with the wild animals when a much greater one was close at hand.
Here we determined to abide for a while, to give our teams a chance to rest after their forced march, and also to do some hunting that would finish the burdens of our wagons. In these up-country excursions the hunter loads his wagons with provisions and trade goods, and as the provisions and goods are used up he fills the space with hides, ivory, karosses, and other things that are marketable in the seaports of the Cape. When his cargo is completed he is ready to return home. By means of the contents of his wagons he pays the expenses of his expedition, and sometimes realizes a handsome profit.
We had some fine hunting in that region, including night-shooting at the drinking-place already mentioned. Our sport was hardly equal to that which Cumming describes in his book, but we had splendid success, take it for all in all, and were well satisfied with it. The asperities of night-shooting were softened on several occasions by the presence of Mrs. Roberts and Miss Boland, who wished to enjoy the sport, and achieved their full share of success in so doing.
We had our wagons pretty nearly filled up, and only a few more hides and tusks were needed to complete the lading. As for the ladies' wagon, it was little more than half filled, and their collection of ivory was considerably smaller than ours. We said nothing about this to our friends, as we all were reluctant to dwell intently on the subject of separation.
One day I was out with Miss Boland in search of elands, giraffes, or any other medium-sized game that came in our way. We were not equipped for elephants or buffaloes, and, as usually happens in such cases, we saw both kinds of animals in goodly numbers. When we saw the elephants Miss Boland said:
"I suppose you'll be riding back to camp now to get your elephant-gun and ammunition?"