Once more able to mount my horse, I rejoined our patrols, which were fully occupied in pursuing and waylaying the enemy, who, in small detached parties, made their appearance first on one side, then on another, in vain attempts to seize the government cattle; upwards of a thousand head being generally kept here in reserve. On clear bright days we were tolerably secure, as we could then discover with the glass, the solitary blanketted spy, perched on some lofty crag of the Didama or little Winterberg; but when their summits were hidden, and the clouds rolled half way down their sides, and hung there motionless, we were all on the qui vive, for the crafty Kaffirs, creeping down under the vapoury cover, would exchange shots with the cattle guard, or herdsmen, even though they did not venture to make a dash for the cattle.
ANCIENT BUSHMAN PAINTINGS.
FOOTNOTES:
[17] A little round hill surmounted by rocks.
[18] Madden, in his Travels, states that the use of pounded locusts as flour, is common among the Arabs.
[19] Euplectes Oryx.
[20] "Wait-a-bit" thorn.