A South African Tramp's Experience.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 131, 5 December 1885, Page 6

A South African Tramp's Experience.

A tk un who has wandered on foot over a large portion of South Africa, has recently given publicity to .some of his novel experi. ences and adventures. On one occasion he had rambled beyond the bounds of civiliza tion in the country of the Zulu Kafirs, and, getting near some native huts, he thus describes a somewhat startling and unpleasant incident: — " I had not gone far towards the kraal when I was literally worried to mad" ness by myriads ot savage dogs. I had a long stick in my hand, and swung this round and round for some minutes. I shouted at the top of my voice for help, but the inmates did not hear me. Other dogs, hearing the tremendous barking, now joined the already startling numbers. I threw stones, swore, ran here and there, gave a dog now and then a tremendous cut across his back, but I was not successful in frightening them away, (.loaded to the utmost frenzy, I drew a long bowie-knife I had in my belt, gave a sorb of war whoop, and rushed madly for the nearest dog, plunging my weapon deep into its carcass ! The animal fell, and uttered a mournful cry. Wonderful to relate, this had the instantaneous effect of scattering the remainder to a considerable distance. I took the opportunity and ran for my very life till I was out of reach both of dogs and men. My trousers were torn to pieces, and 1 had several nasty bitts here and there, but only very slight. Well, truly this had been a day of adventure, but the grand finale had yet to happen. It must have been about nine o'clock at night when I found myself in a dark kloof, and a mealie field on either sides of the road. Out of breath, thirsty, hungry, and very fatigued, I still continued at a brisk pace, feeling confident in reaching the Umzikulu ere long. Not a sound broke the stillness of the hour, while the darkness was intensely dense. While thus proceeding my attention was attracted towards a dark object apparently keeping pace with me, about twenty feet distant, in the mealie field. I regarded it for a moment, and then endeavoured to dispel the idea of it being anything to be frightened at, and quickend my pace. I looked to the side again, and perceived it was apparently f ollowing me and getting closer. I stopped, not knowing what to expect. Clenching my stick in the left hand, and keeping my bowie-knife in my right, I stood in the middle of the road and faced the thing. I saw it crouch, and then knew it to be an animal of some description. My hair stood on end; it seemed to be drawing nearer ! I then perceived a white patch under the neck, saw its gleaming eyeballs and from the general contour, believed it to be a tiger cat. I gave a wild halloo (my invariable plan when desperately alarmed), which echoed through the dark kloof. At that instant the animal made one long spring and fastened on my legs.^ Mechanically, I stabbed it several times in the neck and head, when it fell from my person all but lifeless. I jumped on it, struck it about the head with my stick, and made sure of its death by plunging my knife several times through its body till life seemed puite extinct."

Subdued but Magnificent.— Young lady (just returned from attending a funeral) : " Such a crowd as there was at the house, mamma ! And flowers ! Why, the parlours were completely tilled with them. It was plain that no expense had been spared. And poor, dear Mrs 8., in her rich, deep mourning, looked so heart-broken and superb." Mamma : " Was she very much overcome?" Young lady: "Not apparently. Mrs B. is too well bred to display emotion. But the richness of her toilet surpassed anything I have ever seen. Her grief was subdued but magnificent."