Richard Galbraith, Mariner Part 12

So the next morning I was up betimes, and ready to set out with the Kaffirs, whom I found carried, beside their usual weapons, an a.s.sagai having a bunch of feathers at the top, the purpose of which I could not divine, but patiently waited, as I often had had to do previously, for time to show. I was now, as may be imagined, very familiar with all the tribe, and, by being able to make myself just understood, could join them in any affair, though Tugela was not present, as at this hunt.

After our a.s.sembling we soon set off, and proceeded in so straight a direction that I supposed the lair of a lion had already been ascertained, which surmise proved correct, for we had not gone a very great distance before we came in sight of the king of the desert, alone and majestic, having by his side the bare bones of an eland, the flesh of which animal had just served to stay his royal hunger. On perceiving him the Kaffirs, with the greatest caution, separated, and placed themselves so as entirely to surround the place where he stood, then at the same time disclosed themselves to his view. It is the nature of these animals never to attack a body of men unless urged by extreme hunger, but usually to retreat before them, thinking, like some two-legged animals, that discretion is the better part of valour.

It was therefore with the full intention to make a retreat that the n.o.ble beast regarded the human circle, till, by its growing smaller and smaller, gradually hemming him in, he appeared quickly to guess their intent, and, with a terrific roar of rage, turned fiercely upon them.

Having excited him up to this point, one of the Kaffirs, advancing before the rest, shook the plumes on his a.s.sagai provokingly in his face, when, to my terror, he rose suddenly up, and, with the litheness of a cat, made a wondrous bound at his adversary. I could have declared the poor fellow was done for; but with an agility equal to the lion's, or to a monkey's, the hunter struck the spear of his a.s.sagai in the ground and nimbly leaped aside, so that the powerful paw of the beast fell with a force upon the feathered head of the weapon, which too well proved what the fate of the man would have been had he stood in its place. At the same moment a shower of spears a.s.sailed him from the rear, hurled by the enemy behind. Uttering a terrific roar, turning, he flew savagely at his nearest a.s.sailant, who performed the same rapid feat as the first, while another cloud of weapons shot through the air.

From the distant bush I watched this strange and most dangerous method of hunting--dangerous truly, for even as I looked I perceived one of the men, taken off his guard by an abrupt swerve of the lion, fail in striking his spear and in his leap aside. The next moment the large paw had fallen on the hunter's head with so awful a blow that it must instantly have dislocated the spine, such, they say, being the way these animals have when seizing their prey. The poor fellow dropped as if struck by a thunderbolt, while the strong white teeth of the lion fastened immediately upon his shoulder. The rest of the hunters, quickly seizing the opportunity, sent a.s.sagai after a.s.sagai, till, bleeding from numerous wounds, and giving one final roar, the brute sank dead by the side of his victim.

I ran forward instantly, as did the others, to find life extinct both in man and beast. Save the wound of the cruel teeth in the shoulder, the body of the Kaffir showed no other disfigurement, but looked as calm as if in sleep. His death did not seem much to concern his companions. No doubt they had expected some such event, and perhaps rejoiced that only one had fallen under the paw of the kingly brute; for a lion hunt frequently ends far less fortunately.

Therefore slinging the beast over their shoulders, we returned to the kraal, where we laid our prize at the chief's feet.

It was a few days after this that, calling an a.s.sembly of his head warriors, Metilulu informed them that it was his will that on the next day a war party should depart to attack a distant tribe, from whose chief he affirmed he had received a most grievous insult.

The announcement was received with a shout of joy, for war is the opportunity which the "boys," or "black shields," have of distinguishing themselves, and thus acquiring the honourable t.i.tle of "man" and bearer of a white shield. All shields are conferred by the chief alone, who bestows them on none but those who by daring deeds have proved themselves worthy to be one of his soldiers. To the "boys" a black shield is given till they have distinguished themselves greatly in battle, when it is changed for a white one. Both are of a long oblong shape, covered with cow-hide, and only vary in colour.

Through this war expedition I became a witness of many peculiar ceremonies attendant thereupon. First, I learned that by some means Metilulu had procured a portion of a hide-belt belonging to the other chief, which, having been sc.r.a.ped into a medicine prepared by the witch-doctor, he had drank, believing by that he would literally swallow up his enemy from his path. After this the warriors' turn came. All being a.s.sembled, an ox was slaughtered by the witch-doctor, who, having cut off one of its legs, chopped it in pieces, sprinkled them with a magic powder, then distributed the morsels to the warriors, who devoured them with the greatest avidity. That ended, the whole animal was cooked for them to feast upon.

This concluded that day's ceremony. On the next the witch-doctor administered a medicine which acted as an emetic; then, as a purification, to which I have previously referred, Metilulu, approaching, sprinkled those appointed to fight with water.

Strange as it may appear, if these rites were not performed the Kaffir's heart would fail him in battle, not through want of courage, but merely through superst.i.tion.

The present expedition was under the command of a n'genana, or captain, whose costume, like those of the other warriors, was very peculiar.

Each one had seemed to adopt his own idea of a strange head-dress, formed of tall and short feathers; while long goats' hair hung flowing down their backs, over their chests, and from the knee-joints more than half-way down the calf.

They drove with them several head of cattle, which I naturally considered to belong to the commissariat department, but learned they were taken for a far different purpose. On attacking an enemy's kraal, a Kaffir's first thought is to seize the cattle--his dearly-beloved cows. These, however, prove rather difficult to manage in a hasty retreat; but the strangers will speedily follow if headed by oxen who know the way, for in Caffraria, it seems, these animals are endowed with the same instinct as dogs possess in our country. Provisions, however, were sent with them, but to my idea, knowing the capacity of the Kaffir appet.i.te, scarcely sufficient for half the time they said the expedition would take. Tugela told me that this was owing to a desire not to enc.u.mber the army more than possible; for which same reason the soldiers, save feathers and ornaments to show their rank, wore little clothing,--indeed, even in the Kaffir acceptation of the word, I might say none--not even taking with them the kaross, but sleeping without the least covering in the open air.

I need hardly state that, as cunning, cruelty, and bloodshed are the leading points of warfare in Caffraria, I did not join this expedition.

No doubt I should have been refused permission had I asked it. So, having watched the warriors off, I returned to the kraal to pa.s.s the time in the ordinary mode--attending to my cows and corn and tobacco patches, for so had my wealth increased, as I supposed, correctly as it proved, that little of much interest would transpire during the war party's absence.

It happened, as I pa.s.sed to my own hut, and casually looked in at several others--for I had now become on familiar terms with most of the families--that, at the princ.i.p.al warrior's dwelling, I found the wives hanging their husband's sleeping-mat, pillow, and ap.r.o.n upon a certain part of the wall. I should not have noticed this had it occurred merely once; but as I saw it repeated by many, repaired to Zenuta--a common practice of mine--to ask if there were any reason in what I had seen.

"Oh yes!" she replied, "the wives hang them up so when their husbands are absent. They visit them every morning to see if they cast a shadow, for while they do she knows her husband is safe; but," she added, with a sudden lowering of her tone and manner, "if they do not, she feels he is dead--dead! and mourns him as if his companions had really brought the news. Oh!" she continued, with a deep sigh, "if you, Gabbrth,"--her mode of p.r.o.nunciation--"if you had been a warrior, and had gone with the others, I should have done the same."

I could not but be touched by this manifestation of womanly feeling, and, with a pressure of the hand and a smile, tried to show my grat.i.tude.

Several days elapsed before anything was heard of the war party, and nothing of any consequence took place at the kraal till it was proposed that a few of us should make a party to hunt the koodoos. This animal is much admired owing to its splendid spiral horns, while its flesh--a rarity with South African animals--is both tender and of a good flavour.

On setting out, the direction we took was that where, between two shelving plains, covered with bright green vegetation, a sparkling river flowed; for the koodoo requires water. Here we soon came upon several of them, which, with much caution, we proceeded to slay. It being a most wary animal, we, according to the Kaffir method, appearing at some distance, approached them by large, circles, as if the last thing we saw were the animals themselves, which proceeding apparently much puzzled them. This we continued to do, gradually lessening the distance till within shooting range, when, wheeling round, we hurled our a.s.sagais at the startled herd, who sprang off at full speed, but not before we had slain several, among which was a pretty little antelope, called an ourebi.

Before returning, we stretched ourselves upon the gra.s.s to enjoy the pleasant day and rest a little; but we had not been long in this position before we suddenly perceived a considerable party of Kaffirs, in all the native panoply of war, fording the river much higher up than where we were. Following the example of my companions, I instantly seized my shield and spears, and, wriggling like a snake through the gra.s.s, reached some bushes, from which concealment we inspected the strangers earnestly. The head man affirmed it must be a regiment of some hostile tribe, no doubt coming to attack our kraal, and, upon this surmise, was just sending off a swift messenger to give the alarm at home, when one of our party, uttering a cry of joy, declared that the men before us were our own warriors returning from their expedition.

After a few moments' inspection, this really proved to be the fact, whereupon we immediately quitted the bushes and advanced quickly towards them. In doing so, I noted that, while the men rapidly forded the river, they raised the water in the palms of their hands to their lips, as if suffering from thirst, and I could not help asking a Kaffir near me if he thought there was any reason for this haste.

"No doubt," he said, "they are on a forced march, when the men are not permitted either to stop or leave ranks; though," he added, pointing to some dead-looking logs, like tree-trunks, which lay here and there on the muddy banks of the river, "they would not in any case stop now.

See--crocodiles!"

I gave almost a leap at the sound. Yes! those _logs_ were indeed crocodiles, as I speedily was made aware, for, on our drawing near the river, several slipped into the water with a dull lazy splash. I remember that at the sight I felt no small amount of satisfaction that I had not to ford the river; for though they say if you walk straight forward, splashing the water as you go, these repulsive looking monsters dare not touch you, I had not the least desire to try the experiment.

We found the warriors much attenuated, having suffered greatly from want of food, which their hunger-belts drawn very tightly proved. These hunger-belts are made of leather, fastened several times round the body, and are gradually tightened over the stomach to stay the cravings of hunger. One or two "boys" of the party had suffered so much from lack of provisions that they had actually flawed their cow-hide shields.

Such being the state of things, it may be imagined with what alacrity they fell upon some koodoo flesh we had prepared; in fact I thought they would never stop. After a while, however, they left off, more from want of provender than appet.i.te, and continued their march homeward, we joining company. They said they expected to be well received; for, beside the vengeance they had taken upon the enemy having been severe, they had also brought away with them numerous heads of cattle, which they were well aware would be regarded with extreme satisfaction by their chief, Metilulu.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

METILULU REVIEWS HIS TROOPS--I a.s.sIST AT A HOPO BATTUE.

As the warfare in which Metilulu's warriors had been engaged was looked upon as very successful, the chief ordered a review to take place on the ensuing morning, when, as was customary, those who had done brave deeds were to be rewarded, while those who, on the contrary, had proved themselves unworthy of being ranked among soldiers, were to receive due punishment. This was the first review I had seen, strangers seldom being allowed to be present at them, but my long sojourn in the kraal made this rule waved in my case, for I had indeed become almost as one of themselves, therefore I was permitted to be a spectator.

Like in our own affairs of the same kind, all the warriors a.s.sembled, each taking his right position in the ranks, but here they did so in perfect silence, while each placing his large shield on the ground upright before him, only permitted the upper part of his dark body to be seen. Thus they remained till it was Metilulu's pleasure to make his appearance; and--for it seems the etiquette of great people in Caffraria, as well as in more civilised nations, to keep their inferiors waiting--fully an hour elapsed--the glaring sun blazing down all the time upon the poor fellows--before his pudgy majesty waddled upon the field, followed by his chief counsellor, and servants bearing the never-failing beer-jar and snuff, while one held a shield, which on such occasions was converted into a species of umbrella, to be held over the little man's head to shade him from the sun; and Zenuta told me that woe would betide the bearer of it if he let a single beam of the luminary of the day rest upon the chief's black skin, such negligence being severely punished--even occasionally by death when the royal personage happened to be in a bad humour.

Metilulu's chair having been placed in an advantageous position, and his counsellors congregated about him, the august chief was so overcome by fatigue, owing to his unusual exertion, that he had to have recourse both to the beer and snuff to recruit his strength before commencing the review; then, I suppose, feeling stronger, he ordered the cattle taken from the enemy to be marched before him. There was a pretty considerable number, and I watched Metilulu's eyes twinkle with delight as he beheld them. Suddenly he pointed to one, then to another, and, as the sign was made, with the speed of light, a Kaffir had sprung forward, and, with unerring aim, pierced the animal indicated by the chief to the heart.

Surprised at this summary destruction of the beloved cattle, I asked Tugela, who was standing by me, the reason, and learned that these were to feast Metilulu's guests, for after a fortunate expedition he always treated the warriors handsomely. As the eyes of the remainder of the cattle rested upon their fallen companions, and their nostrils scented the blood, a panic seemed to seize them, for, lowing wildly, they dashed forward in all directions, and it was as much as their keepers could do to head them in, and get them all safely back to the isibaya.

When this was over, and all made ready, the ceremony of pointing out the "ama-doda," or men and the "boys" who had proved themselves worthy of their chief's approval, commenced. This is a trying time for the regiment, but a proud one to those who are conscious they have fought well. Those "boys" who have done their best look eagerly forward to receive the t.i.tle of ama-doda, and become the bearer of a white shield; while those whose courage has failed them in the hour of battle secretly tremble in their feathers--not having shoes--at the possible, if not inevitable result. Stepping forward, the head warrior presented his report to Metilulu, who, on receiving it, uttered the names of those worthy of praise aloud. As each was p.r.o.nounced, the a.s.sembled Kaffirs repeated it at the top of their voices, while they indicated with outstretched arm the fortunate soldier. The latter, to my eyes, appeared to have gone frantic with joy; for, with leaps only to be seen in Caffraria or in a circus, he sprang from the ranks and commenced executing the most peculiar antics, denoting extreme pleasure, I had ever witnessed. His springs were wondrous. He kicked up his heels, ran, and jumped, all the time flourishing his a.s.sagais and shield in such a manner that I should have felt my head in danger had I been in close proximity to him.

By this time three or four others had been specified, and were going through the same feats as the first--doing it with such a power and energy that the oil actually ran from their dark bodies in little streams. After having performed most of their military evolutions, with a bound the happy warriors leaped back into the ranks, and resumed their former rigid att.i.tude.

The scene was so eccentric that it occasioned me much amus.e.m.e.nt, and had it ended here it would have been well enough; but now, the brave having been rewarded, the cowards had to be punished. These were pointed out without any shouting, and, as each was named, instant execution followed, without a murmur on the victim's part. One who, I suppose, had either been a very great coward, or the head warrior had a spite against him, was barbarously beaten to death by k.n.o.b-kerries. The bodies of these, not being considered worthy of the rites of sepulture, were dragged into the bush, and left there to become the meals of hyenas and jackals, who speedily would leave nothing visible but the bones to whiten in the sun.

This over, the paid minstrels of the tribes appeared, who, approaching, sung their great chief's praises, using every t.i.tle that had been given him during his life for any prowess, or names he had chosen for himself,--mostly those of animals. After which all the warriors defiled pa.s.sed Metilulu, who was dressed in his most ceremonious costume of feathers and leopard tails, etc, no doubt to inspire respect and awe, each Kaffir as he went by bowing profoundly and lowering his shield and a.s.sagais to the ground.

This completing the review the feast commenced, which I need not recount, so therefore shall pa.s.s it over. The successful issue of this raid upon his enemy had so good an effect upon Metilulu, that he proposed a large slaughter of animals should take place, so as to make a grand feast--which meant every Kaffir was to have as much as he could eat, and, if the reader recollects the account I have already given of their capacity in that line, he will see that the quant.i.ty of provisions necessary to be provided would be great indeed.

It must not be thought that the generous fit of Metilulu extended so far as to the slaughtering his own cattle for the occasion; on the contrary, he meant the slaying of a good many head of game. To render this easy a large pit or hopo was dug in the neighbourhood of a frequent resort of the animals we required; from this diverged two strongly made fences, expanding one to the left the other to the right, till the farther extremities were nearly a mile apart.

The above method of entrapping animals has, I am aware, been frequently described before, for it is a custom practised in many parts of Africa; but having been an actor in this one myself, I should like here to recount it to my readers.

Most of the kraal joined the hunters, for many were required, and when we drew near the spot, orders were given to disperse ourselves so as to enclose a large s.p.a.ce of bush. This being performed, by shouts and flourishes of our a.s.sagais we began to beat up the game, and drive the startled animals who sprang forth before us in the direction of the hopo. Few creatures, as I believe, I have remarked previously, will attack a party of men unless urged on by extreme hunger, thus even those of a more ferocious nature than the eland or gemsbok flew before the shrieking Kaffirs, who appeared like so many fiends broken loose, and never shall I forget the scene that ensued; the fleet eland, the gemsbok, the small graceful duiker bok, the gnoos, the zebras, and even here and there an elephant and a buffalo, all in one pell-mell frighted herd, fled on, in hope of safety, but, in fact, only hurrying to their sure destruction. Occasionally they would attempt to break the fences, but armed Kaffirs placed behind them would drive them back. The mouth of the hopo had been concealed by tree-trunks and branches, so that the creatures never perceived the trap laid, till, owing to the velocity of their speed, there was no drawing back, but with a plunge the first ranks disappeared, and the rest bounded upon the top of them. So when I reached the hopo I found it full of miserable, struggling, howling life, awful to see. Legs, bodies, and heads were in an inextricable ma.s.s, the pit being so crammed that the remainder of the animals had used it as a path to pa.s.s over and escape again to the cover of the bush.

Then into the heaving ma.s.s the hunters began to throw a.s.sagai after a.s.sagai, killing the uppermost, and leaving the under ones to be suffocated by the blood and weight, which speedily must have taken effect. When all had been rendered harmless, one by one the slaughtered beasts were raised by the aid of poles, and with songs of rejoicing-- for, having captured nearly forty head of game, the hopo was considered most successful--we returned to the kraal, where preparations for a grand cooking had been made.

After the feasting had abated and much joila had been drunk, I saw one of the best dances I had yet witnessed in Caffraria--that is, more persons than usual joined in it, for as to figure one dance resembled another, each appearing to go through the performance according to his own taste and with the one idea, to show as much energy and agility as he possibly had in him.

The dancing girls had porcupine quills or hard thorns from the mimosa stuck erect in their woolly hair, and about their waists a leather belt covered in every part with beads, which barely answered the purpose of an ap.r.o.n, while their necks, arms, and legs were literally hidden by ornaments, they having apparently attired themselves in anything fine they possibly could procure--it being a sign of wealth; and there, as in other countries, the saying truly may be used, that pride is never pinched, for though the heavy weight of these beads, bones, sh.e.l.ls, etc, must much incommode the dancers' movements, yet not one of them would think of leaving a single ornament out of their toilette.

The dance commencing, the girls first formed themselves into a circle and began, only accompanied by the sound of their own voices, then, after a while, the warriors starting up, clashing their a.s.sagais on their shields--for to create as horrible a hubbub as possible seems the Kaffir's particular delight--joined in the figure, first whirling round in an outer circle, then closing in and mingling together, never at any time ceasing to keep up the accompaniment of their clashing shields and shrill voices.

As usual their antics grew exceedingly violent, and as the evening was remarkably warm, the perspiration, I might say oil, rolled in greasy drops down the dancers' faces, causing them some inconvenience, though each of the girls was provided with a long narrow piece of wood or bone, something similar to a blunt knife, with which she sc.r.a.ped the grease from her person wherever she felt it uncomfortable. I thought it was well, too, that the dances took place in the open air, and even then I was very glad to use my seaman's knowledge, to keep to the windward of the performers.

Zenuta had once been one of the best dancers in the tribe, but, whether my words were taking effect in her heart, she now absolutely refused to join, for which I was not sorry, as I took care to tell her afterwards, and received a proud, happy smile from the poor girl's eyes, for these dances do not conduce to the morality of the people, who seem to work themselves up to a perfectly mad frenzy, when they recognised no bounds to their desires.

I said "Poor Zenuta," and each day I repeated the phrase with greater pity, for I had begun to pine for dear England and English faces with a true home sickness, and looked forward to every succeeding hour, hoping it might bring some chance to enable me to return, when I should be compelled to tell her that we must part for ever. It is true she had begged me to take her with me, saying she would never vex me, but work for me night and day; but whatever should I, d.i.c.k Galbraith, a poor seaman, do with a Kaffir girl in England? I respected the affection she displayed too much to have her treated with indignity as she might be in a strange and civilised land, and I could not have taken her home, so in all ways I saw it was best and kindest to leave her with her tribe, feeling sure among them she would soon get reconciled to the separation, and, no doubt, quickly marry after I left, as I intended to give her all my cows and other effects. The sequel will prove, however, how little I knew the really determined nature Zenuta possessed. That in intellect and sensibility she was far in advance of her people I had speedily become aware; but I never dreamed to what lengths her loving, humble devotion to one, who could only give her a friendly, pitying kindness in return, would carry her.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

HOME THOUGHTS--THE DROUGHT AND THE RAIN-MAKER--I RECEIVE TERRIBLE NEWS.