CHAPTER XIII.
THE TREK-BOKEN.
Those who remained by the camp had had their adventures too; and theirtale was by no means a merry one, for it disclosed the unpleasant fact,that the sheep and goats were all lost. The flock had been carried off,in a most singular manner; and there was but little hope of their everbeing seen again.
Hans began his tale:--
"Nothing unusual occurred on the day you left us. I was busy all theafternoon in cutting 'wait-a-bit' thorns for a kraal. Totty helped me todrag them up, while Jan and Trueey looked after the flock. The animalsdid not stray out of the valley here, as the grass was good, and theyhad had enough of trotting lately.
"Well--Totty and I got the kraal, as you see, all ready. So, when nightcame, we drove the flock in; and, after milking the cow and getting oursupper, we all went to bed. We were precious tired, and all of us sleptsoundly throughout the night without being disturbed. Both jackals andhyenas came around, but we knew they would not break into that kraal."
Hans pointed to the circular enclosure of thorn-bushes, that had beenwell constructed.
He then proceeded with his narration:--
"In the morning we found everything right. Totty again milked the cow;and we had breakfast. The flock was let out upon the grass, and so werethe cow and the two horses.
"Just about mid-day I began to think what we were to have for dinner,for the breakfast had cleared up everything. I did not like to killanother sheep, if it could be helped. So bidding Jan and Trueey stayclose by the wagon, and leaving Totty to look after the flock, I took mygun and started off in search of game. I took no horse, for I thought Isaw springboks out on the plain; and I would stalk them better afoot.
"Sure enough, there were springboks. When I got out of the valley here,and had a better view, I saw what astonished me, I can assure you.
"I could scarce credit my eyes. The whole plain, towards the west,appeared to be one vast crowd of animals; and by their bright yellowsides, and the snow-white hair on their rumps, I knew they werespringboks. They were all in motion, some browsing along, while hundredsof them were constantly bounding up into the air full ten feet high, andleaping on top of each other. I assure you all it was one of thestrangest sights I ever beheld, and one of the pleasantest too; for Iknew that the creatures that covered the plain, instead of being fiercewild beasts, were nothing but graceful and beautiful little gazelles.
"My first thought was to get near them, and have a shot; and I was aboutto start off over the plain, when I perceived that the antelopes werecoming towards me. I saw that they were approaching with considerablerapidity; and if I only remained where I was, they would save me thetrouble of stalking in upon them. I lay down behind a bush and waited.
"I had not very long to wait. In less than a quarter of an hour theforemost of the herd drew near, and in five minutes more a score of themwere within shot.
"I did not fire for some time. I knew they would come still nearer; andI lay watching the motions of those pretty creatures. I took notice oftheir light handsome forms, their smooth slender limbs, theircinnamon-coloured backs, and white bellies, with the band of chestnutalong each side. I looked at the lyre-shaped horns of the bucks, andabove all, at the singular flaps on their croup, that unfolded each timethat they leaped up, displaying a profusion of long silky hair, as whiteas snow itself.
"All these points I noticed, and at length, tired of admiring them, Isingled out a fine-looking doe--for I was thinking of my dinner, andknew that doe-venison was the most palatable.
"After aiming carefully, I fired. The doe fell, but, to my astonishment,and others did not fly off. A few of the foremost only galloped back abit, or bounded up into the air; but they again set to browsing quiteunconcerned, and the main body advanced as before!
"I loaded as quickly as I could, and brought down another,--this time abuck--but as before without frightening the rest!
"I proceeded to load for the third time; but, before I had finished, thefront ranks had passed on both sides of me, and I found myself in themidst of the herd!
"I saw no need for covering myself any longer behind the bush, but roseto my knees, and, firing at the nearest, brought it down also. Itscomrades did not pause, but ran over its body in thousands!
"I loaded again, and stood right up on my feet.
"Now for the first time it occurred to me to reflect on the strangeconduct of the springboks; for, instead of making off at my appearance,they only bounded a little to one side, and then kept on their course.They seemed possessed by some species of infatuation. I rememberedhearing that such was their way when upon one of their migrations, or"trek-bokens." This, then, thought I, must be a "trek-boken."
"I was soon convinced of this, for the herd every moment grew thickerand thicker around me, until at length they became so crowded, that Ibegan to feel very singularly situated. Not that I was afraid of thecreatures, as they made no demonstration of using their horns upon me.On the contrary, they did all they could to get out of my way. But thenearest only were alarmed; and, as my presence in no way terrified thosethat were an hundred yards off, the latter made no attempt to giveground. Of course the nearest ones could only get a few paces from me,by pushing the others closer, or springing up over their backs--so thatwith the ones thus constantly bounding up into the air there was all thetime a ring around me two deep!
"I cannot describe the strange feelings I had in this unusual situation,or how long I might have kept my place. Perhaps I might have loaded andfired away for some time, but just at the moment the sheep came into mymind.
"They'll be carried away, thought I. I had heard that such a thing wascommon enough.
"I saw that the antelopes were heading towards the valley--the foremostwere already into it, and would soon be on the spot, where I had justseen our little flock feeding!
"In hopes of yet heading the springboks, and driving the sheep into thekraal, before the former crowded on them, I started towards the valley.But, to my chagrin, I could get no faster than the herd was going!
"As I approached the creatures, to make my way through their mass, theyleaped about and sprang over one another, but could not for their livesopen a way for me as fast as I wanted one. I was so near some of themthat I could have knocked them down with my gun!
"I commenced hallooing, and, brandishing the gun about, I was making alane more rapidly, when I perceived in front what appeared to be a largeopen space. I pushed forward for this, but the nearer I came to itsborder the more densely I found the creatures packed. I could only seethat it was an open space by leaping up. I did not know what was causingit. I did not stay to reflect. I only wished to get forward as rapidlyas possible, thinking about our flock.
"I continued to clear my way, and at length found myself in the positionI had coveted; while the lane I had made, in getting there, closedinstantaneously behind me. I was about to rush on and take advantage ofthe bit of clear ground, when, what should I see in the centre, anddirectly before me, but a great yellow lion!
"That accounted for the break in the herd. Had I known what had beencausing it, I should have fought my way in any other direction but that;but there was I, out in the open ground, the lion not ten paces from me,and a fence of springboks two deep around both of us!
"I need not say I was frightened, and badly too. I did not for somemoments know how to act. My gun was still loaded--for, after thinking ofsaving our little flock, I did not care to empty it at the antelopes. Icould get one, thought I, at any time when I had secured the sheep inthe kraal. The piece, therefore, was loaded and with bullets.
"Should I take aim at the lion, and fire? I asked myself this question,and was just on the point of deciding in the affirmative, when Ireflected that it would be imprudent. I observed that the lion, whoseback was turned to me, had either not seen, or as yet took no notice ofme. Should I only wound him--and from the position he was in I was notlikely to do more,--how then? I would most likely be torn to pieces.
"These we
re my reflections, all of which scarce occupied a second oftime. I was about to "back out" or back in among the springboks, andmake my way in some other direction, and had even got near the edge,when, in looking over my shoulder, I saw the lion suddenly halt and turnround. I halted too, knowing that to be the safest plan; and, as I didso, I glanced back at the lion's eyes.
"To my relief, I saw they were not upon me. He seemed to have taken somefancy in his head. His appetite, perhaps, had returned; for the nextmoment he ran a few yards, and then, rising with a terrific bound,launched himself far into the herd, and came down right upon the back ofone of the antelopes! The others sprang right and left, and a new spacewas soon opened around him.
"He was now nearer than ever to where I stood, and I could see himdistinctly crouched over his victim. His claws held its quivering body,and his long teeth grasped the poor creature by the neck. But, with theexception of his tail, he was making not the slightest motion, and thatvibrated gently from side to side, just as a kitten that had caught atiny mouse. I could see, too, that his eyes were close shut, as thoughhe were asleep!
"Now I had heard that under such circumstances the lion may beapproached without much danger. Not that I wished to go any nearer--forI was near enough for my gun--but it was this recollection, I believe,that put me in the notion of firing. At all events, something whisperedme I would succeed, and I could not resist trying.
"The broad blind jaw of the brute was fair before me. I took aim, andpulled trigger; but, instead of waiting to see the effect of my shot, Iran right off in an opposite direction.
"I did not halt till I had put several acres of antelopes between myselfand the place where I had last stood; and then I made the best of my wayto the wagon.
"Long before I had reached it, I could see that Jan, and Trueey, andTotty, were safe under the tent. That gave me pleasure, but I also sawthat the sheep and goats had got mixed up with the springboks, and weremoving off with them as if they belonged to the same species! I fearthey are all lost."
"And the lion?" inquired Hendrik.
"Yonder he lies!" answered Hans, modestly pointing to a yellow mass outupon the plain, over which the vultures were already beginning to hover."Yonder he lies, you could hardly have done it better yourself, brotherHendrik."
As Hans said this, he smiled in such a manner as to show, that he had noidea of making a boast of his achievements.
Hendrik was loud in acknowledging that it was a most splendid feat, andalso in regretting that he had not been on the ground to witness thewonderful migration of the springboks.
But there was no time for much idle talk. Von Bloom and his party werein a very unpleasant situation. His flocks were all gone. The cow andhorses alone remained; and for these not a blade of grass had been leftby the antelopes. Upon what were they to be fed?
To follow the spoor of the migratory springboks with the hope ofrecovering their flock would be quite useless. Swartboy assured them ofthis. The poor animals might be carried hundreds of miles before theycould separate themselves from the great herd, or bring theirinvoluntary journey to an end!
The horses could travel but little farther. There was nought to feedthem on but the leaves of the mimosas, and this was but poor food forhungry horses. It would be fortunate if they could be kept alive untilthey should reach some pasture; and where now was pasture to be found?Locusts and antelopes between them seemed to have turned all Africa intoa desert!
The field-cornet soon formed his resolution. He would remain there forthe night, and early on the morrow set out in search of some otherspring.
Fortunately Hans had not neglected to secure a brace of the springboks;and their fat venison now came into general use. A roast of that, and adrink of cool water from the spring, soon refreshed the three weariedtravellers.
The horses were let loose among the mimosa-trees, and allowed to shiftfor themselves; and although under ordinary circumstances they wouldhave "turned up their noses" at such food as mimosa-leaves, they nowturned them up in a different sense, and cleared the thorny brancheslike so many giraffes.
Some naturalist as the "Buffon" school has stated that neither wolf,fox, hyena, nor jackal, will eat the carcass of a lion,--that their fearof the royal despot continues even after his death.
The field-cornet and his family had proof of the want of truth in thisassertion. Before many hours both jackals and hyenas attacked thecarcass of the king of beasts, and in a very short while there was not amorsel of him there but his bones. Even his tawny skin was swallowed bythese ravenous creatures, and many of the bones broken by the strongjaws of the hyenas. The respect which these brutes entertain for thelion ends with his life. When dead, he is eaten by them with as muchaudacity as if he were the meanest of animals.