THE ADVENTURES OP SAMBO AND POMPEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 45

THE ADVENT URES OP SAMBO AND POMPEY.

By Murray Aston.

A STORY OF AFRICAN ADVENTURE.

Chapteb V. A Dangerous Meeting— The Buffalo.

A few clasp-knives were eagerly accepted by their hosts in payment for the hospitality of a night's lodging, and Dingan, their recruit of the previous day, having proved himself a thoroagh expert in the matter of inspanning oxen, the party made an early start for the northern wilds. The morning was glorious in a flood of sunshine. Flights of birds and butterflies were frequently noticed. All sorts of beetles and spiders delighted the heart of the professor, aa they were constantly being brought in by those indefatigable entomologists, Simbo and Pompey, who were never tired of submitting specimen after specimen to the " boss," who for his part was just as eager to examine their captures, and would nod and smile at his assistants, however worthless their prize might prove. Occasionally, however, he was rewarded with some insect; quite new to science, as the Zulu lads were able to overtake butterflies which English naturalists — owing to their want of activity — had not been able to capture ; and then the doctor would be boisterous in his praise, and on one occasion he went so far as to throw his hat high in the air, an action which caused unmeasured delight to his aides. Jamrach wa3 appointed to the position of cook, and his knowledge of the culinary art was sufficient to give ample satisfaction to the party. He also took upon himself the task of instructing the Zulu 3 in the use of firearms, and every day some time was passed in shooting at marks, and it was wonderful how quickly the natives became experts in the use of both guns and rifles. Towards the evening of the third day of their journey Sambo and Pompey, who were luckily proceeding with their usual caution, made out a body of armed natives, about 100 in all, approaching in their direction. Dingan had asked them to let him know at once if they should encounter any Zulus, as he was fearful of meeting some of his tribe, who would, in all probability, make short work of him. The boys therefore at once turned and informed him of their approach. His fear, upon hearing the news was unmistakable, but bis deportment remained that oEatrue brave; and when, soon after, the newcomers appeared within gqnshot of the waggon, Dingan had quite regained his U3ual composure. Dr Goodwood, who had been informed of the critical condition of affairs, at once entered into an earnest consultation with Jdmrach, which ended in the Boer going forward to meet the Zu'us. After a conversation with them, he was seen to take leave of the enemy, and having regained the friendly shelter of the waggon, he was eagerly welcomed by the professor, who asked for news. " Dey say dey vant Dingan, and I say ye no pard mid him, and after a dime I offer to puy him. I ofiLr sixguns, and bawder and lead, and dey agree." " Bravo 1 " shouted the professor. " Get out the guns." And in a very short time the rifles and the agreed amount of powder and lead were carried to them, with the addition of some trinkets —such as looking- glasses, beads, and knives, and the parties separated on the beet of terms. And so ended this episode, which at one time bore a threatening aspect. Its happy termination was a great relief to Dingan, who kept bestowing most grateful glances on Jamrach, who in his turn regarded the Znlu with kindly eyes. The next day Sambo and Pompey were presented by the professor -with a Snider rifl; each, and a supply of ammunition. Their joy was unbounded, and the extraordinary antics which th?y indulged in, as some slight outlet apparently for the exuberance of their spirits, were truly wonderful to behold. Their cartridge belts were a particular source of delight to them, and their martial air upon starting, fully equipped for their duties as scouts, wai strikingly giotesque. They were even about to discard their assegais and kerries, but at the suggestion of Jamrach, who said that they must not forget the pot, they laughingly resumed the kerries and promised to bring in a good supply of birds before dinner-time. And they meant to do so, bu*-., as will be seen, they brought in mach larger game instead. They were indeed proad boys $hat morning, but their pride had not robbed them of their customary caution, fo I*,1 *, with rills slung behind and kerry in hand, they were walking with noiseless step, intent on the acquisition of some tasty feathered creature of the partridge tribe, when Sambo, who was slightly ia advance of bis brother, suddenly came to a full stop, at the same time holding up his hand in a warning attitude. They stood like statues for a moment or two, when Sambo beckoned for Pompey to approach, and the former pointed without remark to the ground, and there, sure enough, was the spoor of a large animal, apparently a solitary one. 11 Ox 7 " queried Pompey in a low whisper. They spoke in the Zulu dialect. •' Buffalo, I think 1 " replied Sambo, aud a Bhudder ran through the two lads as the name of this truly dreadful monster was mentioned. Instinctively they brought their guns round to the present ; for any moment they might be wanted indeed, since the tracks were quite fresh, and the Cape buffalo is as terrible and as formidable an animal as the lion itaelf. It is very cunning, moreover, and has an unpleasant habit of remaining quietly in its lair until the unsuspecting traveller passes closely to its place of concealment, and then leaping suddenly upon him, like some terrible monster of the waterp, dripping with mud and filled with rage.

ready for a feast, and to guard againßt their inroads Sambo and Pompey gathered a few sticks and placed them round the body at regular intervals ; as the birds, fearf al of trap?, will not, lor a considerable time at least, approach anything so protected. Then they hastened back to the waggon, now only a short distance away, and announced their good luck. Jamrach smiled at first, and refused to believe that it was a real buffalo. " I expect it must be an old ox," he said, at which the boys looked a little hurt, but Sambo rejoined, " Come and see, maasa," which he forthwith agreed to do, and was accompanied by the professor to the scene of action. " What a horrid brute," said the doctor. " Why, even in death he inspires terror 1 " "Djt vos so," replied Jamraph. "And dey are vorse den ony udder animals," and then he gave an instance in his quaint English of a Kaffir who, hunting buffaloes one day in the bush, came upon a solitary bull, which he wounded. The bull bounded off, but the Kaffir, thinking him badly hurt, followed after at a run without taking sufficient precautions in his advanca. The Kaffir had hurried on through the bush for 100 yds or so, and was looking for the " spoor," when be heard a crash close to him, and before he could move himself he was sent flying in the air by the charge of the buffalo. He fell into some branches, and was thus safe, for the buffalo was not satisfied with this performance, bat wished to finish the work which he had so ably began. However, after examining the safe position of his victim he had retreated.

" He hay got yon very thick head," he went on. " Vonce I meed buffalo vace to vace. I shood, dree yards off — hid him between de eyes ; bull fall, but soon jump up again. Id was a fide in lead against horn — horn ged de besd of id ! " ' " Yes," said the professor, " the vulnerable parts in this animal are behind the shoulder, near the kidneys, or high up on the back."

They then set to work to skin the animal, for the hide is very valuable, being used for the manufacture of sundry leathern implements where great strength is required without much flexibility. "Trek-tows," or the [ central leathern traces, by means of which the draught oxen are harnessed to the waggons, are almost; exclusively made of the buffalo hide, as are also the numerous " rheims " or Btraps which are in constant use about these curious waggons. They secured a large supply of sun-dried meat or beltong, and left a tremendous feast for the numerous vultures who were patiently waiting and who soon picked the bones perfectly clean. (To he continued.) '

Owing to the enormous heavy mass which is situated on the forehead, the creature does not Eec very well in a straight line, bo that a man may sometimes cross the track of a buffalo within 100 yds and not be s»en by the animal, provided that he walks quietly and does not attract attention by the sound of his footsteps. And this was the case on the present occasion. Proceeding with noiseless step, the Zulu boys came within 50yds of a huge buffalo, which they saw standing quietly in the buoh, and which did not observe them. The lads conferred for an instant, and then resolved to take to the security afforded by the branches of a large tree which chanced to be growing well within sight of the enemy. Having gained a position of perfect safety, they proceeded to take stock of the buffalo. It was bluish-black in colour, and its hida was so tough that they knew a rifle ballet could scarcely penetrate it if fired from a distance unless* hardened by an addition of tin. The animal's horns were strangely shaped and black in colour. They were so large in this instance that the distance between the points was nearly sft. The bases of the horns formed a kind of bony helmet, which was impenetrable to an ordinary musket ball. To fire at it now, standing full front towards t'lem, would be to invite failure, 83 Sambo proceeded to draw the attention of the buffalo to their proximity in the hope that it would eh irge down in their direction and afford the opportunity for a shot in a vulnerable spot — a little behind the shoulder. Nor were they disappointed. The monster, upon hearing strange sounds, lished itself into a sudden fury and charged down towards them. So reck essly furious was the animal that it crashed into formidable thornbushes growing in the vicinity, and there it stood, glaring around in qae3t of those daring strangers who had ventured to beard it in its lair. "Now," said Sambo, who preserved his preseuce of mind in a wonderful way, " fire, Pompey, just behind his shoulder." And the two, taking steady aim, pulled their triggers. 'I hey had fired true, and a terrific bellow answered their reports. The buffalo gave a mighty rush,' and presently he fell on his knees, then on his side, and then all was si ll. Cautiously they waited until quite certain that life was extinct, when they left the friendly shelter of the tree and approached their game. Both bullets had hit — there were the two wounds close together ! After a contemplation of the buffalo for a few minntes a flapping of wings announced the arrival of the first of a flock of vultures,