HARD-HEADED.

New Zealand Mail, 3 December 1896, Page 72

HARD-HEADED.

A strange method of knocking out an enemy’s brains is described by a gentleman who was camping some years ago in the Transvaal. Everything had been made snug for the night, and before turning in he was sitting with some of his companions about the fire.

Soon an altercation sprang up between two of his attendants, a Mashona and a Makololo, who were standing not far off. The object of the discussion was a piece of meat they were boiling. One word led to anothea and soon it was evident from their gestures that they were using the choicest Billingsgate at command. At length both rushed to the waggon. Another whispered to the traveller, “Assegai, boss !’’ He sprang to prevent them obtaining any of these weapons.

Frustrated in their attempt to arm themselves, they rushed upon each other. The traveller would have interfered, but that a friend quietly said—- “ Let them fight it out, or you will have no peace/’

Immediately they clasped each other and commenced butting their heads together like a pair of sheep. The blows were terrific and sounded almost as loud as a well-executed clap of the hands. There was no attempt at boxing, only butting, and so effectually was it performed that sanguinary signs were soon strikingly apparent. After about five minutes employed in this exciting kind of work, both sat down to recover breath in order to renew the encounter.

Then the traveller interfered, and about half an hour later the combatants were sitting at the same fire, and chatting to each other most cordially, as if the .recent tight had no place in their memories.