Hair-Breadth Escapes: The Adventures of Three Boys in South Africa

by H. C. Adams

  CHAPTER TEN.

  A HOTTENTOT KRAAL--THE HOTTENTOT CHIEF--UMBOO'S MESSAGE--NEWS FROM CAPETOWN--THE HOTTENTOT PROGRAMME--LEARNED SPECULATIONS.

  The sun had hardly risen on the following morning when the quarterswhere they had bivouacked were surrounded by a bevy of dark skins, whosecuriosity to see the strangers was at least equal to that of the boys tosee them. The latter were bewildered by the multitude of smallcopper-coloured men by whom they were environed, their thin faces, smallsunken eyes wide apart from one another, thick lips, and flat noses,rendering them objects as hideous in European eyes as could well beimagined. Their conversation too--for they talked rapidly andincessantly among themselves--sounded the strangest Babel that ever waspoured into civilised ears. It resembled the continued chattering ofteeth, the tongue being continually struck against the jaws or palate;and for a long time the lads almost believed that the men were simplygibbering, like monkeys, at one another. Omatoko, however, who waseither a personage of real authority in his tribe, or felt himselfentitled to assume authority under the circumstances of the case, soonconvinced them that his countrymen understood the orders which he gavethem, and were, moreover, ready to obey him. At his command two of themtook on their shoulders the basket, in which Lion had been carefullylaid on a heap of dried grass, and trotted nimbly off with it; Frank,who had witnessed the manoeuvre, running by the side, and steadying thelitter with his hand, whenever any piece of rough ground had to betraversed.

  This part of the work despatched, Omatoko next went down to the placewhere the carcasses of the koodoos had been carefully protected fromvultures and hyenas by a heap of logs laid over them. Committing eachkoodoo to the care of three or four, whom he chose out of the throng forthe purpose, he sent them after the others. Then he himself,accompanied by his nephew, whom he introduced by the name of "Toboo,"and the son of the chief, whom he addressed as "Kalambo," prepared toset out on the journey, as a guard of honour to the Englishmen.

  In about two hours' time they arrived at the kraal, where the chief,Umboo, was expecting them; and the three lads, who had been on the lookout for something entirely different to all that they had ever beheldbefore, were, for once, not disappointed.

  The village was built in the shape of a perfect oval, each cottageapproaching its next neighbour so nearly as only to allow room forpassing to and fro; and on the outer side of the ellipse were enclosuresfor the cattle. The boys were somewhat surprised at this arrangement,having been prepared to find the oxen pastured in the space enclosed bythe huts, where they would have been safe from attack until the men hadbeen overpowered. But they learned afterwards that the Hottentotsrather desired that the cattle should protect them, than they thecattle. In the event of an attack from an enemy, the latter would, itwas reckoned, be unwilling to destroy the sheep and oxen--the latter,indeed, being in general the booty which had been the inciting cause ofthe attack--and thus time was gained, and the enemy taken at adisadvantage.

  The houses themselves were circular, composed of wicker-work overlaidwith matting; this latter being woven out of rushes, and further sewnwith the fibre of the mimosa. The mats supplied a twofold want. Theyreadily admitted the passage of air, and so secured good ventilation;and they were of a texture so porous that rain only caused them to closetighter, and so rendered them waterproof. Our travellers had alreadyhad satisfactory evidence of their efficiency in this respect duringtheir three days' halt in the rocky defile. Like all other hutsbelonging to savages in these regions, they had only one opening, whichserved as door, window, and chimney.

  The boys had only time for a very cursory survey of these particulars,when they were hurried into the dwelling of Umboo the chief of thetribe, who, they were told, was impatiently expecting them. Withoutwaiting therefore to wash or cool themselves, or change any part oftheir dress, they passed into the royal hut, as it might be termed;though, on examination, it was not found to be materially different fromthose around it.

  It was larger, certainly, and perhaps a foot higher, the ordinary hutsnot being more than five feet in height. The floor was strewn withkarosses, on one of which the great Umboo was sitting when they entered.In the background several of his wives--he was said to have nearly adozen--were sitting; mostly young, well-shaped women, though theirfigures were almost concealed from sight by numberless necklaces,girdles, armlets, and anklets, ornamented after a strange and bizarrefashion with shells, tigers' teeth, polished stones, and metal spanglesof all shapes and sizes--obtained doubtless from tradings with thewhites. The chief himself was attired after a fashion so extraordinary,that the boys, and particularly Nick, could with difficulty restrain ashout of laughter as their eyes lighted upon him.

  He was a tall and very stout man, with features which, for one of hisrace, might be accounted handsome; and his dress, however anomalous inthe estimation of Europeans, was doubtless regarded with respect andeven awe by his own subjects. It consisted of a full-bottomed wig,which had probably once graced the head of some Dutch official, thoughevery vestige of powder had long disappeared. The lower folds of thisheaddress fell over the collar of the red coat of an English grenadier--a souvenir probably of Muizenberg or Blauenberg--the rusty buttons andtarnished embroidery testifying to the hard service which the garment inquestion had seen. Below the coat, so far as the mid-calf, Umboo'sperson remained in its natural state, always excepting the red ochre andgrease with which it was liberally besmeared, the odour from which,under the broiling sun, was almost unendurable. The royal costume wascompleted by a pair of top-boots with brass spurs attached--suggesting acurious inquiry as to the number of owners through which the articlesmust have passed, before they were transferred from the legs of anEnglish squire to those of a Namaqua chief.

  Umboo had noticed the demeanour of the younger portion of his visitors,but he had happily no suspicion of its true explanation, being himselfrather inclined to attribute it to the awe which his presence inspired.He was, however, unacquainted not only with the English language, butwith the Dutch also; and Omatoko was obliged to act as interpreterbetween the two parties--an office, apparently, which was greatly to histaste.

  After a long interview, in which the chief manifested the greatestcuriosity as to the previous history of his visitors, the circumstanceswhich had led to their presence in the country, and the course whichthey now proposed to pursue, he was pleased to intimate to them thattheir audience was ended, but that he had assigned a hut for theirspecial accommodation, and one of his people to attend on them andprovide them with food, as long as they remained in the kraal.

  Having expressed their thanks and taken leave, the four friendswithdrew, and were ushered to their house by Toboo, the latter being, asthey discovered, the attendant of whom the chief had spoken. Here theyfound Lion, lying in one corner on a heap of reeds, apparently none theworse for his journey.

  "Well," said Nick, as he threw himself on a bed of dried grass coveredwith one or two karosses, "this is better than the desert, anyhow! Isuppose his Majesty, King Umboo, keeps a pretty good table, and a decentcook. Are we to have the honour, by the bye, of dining at the royalboard, or is a separate cuisine to be kept up for us? In the firstinstance, will it be necessary to dress for dinner; in the second, whois to give orders to the cook?"

  "And if we are to be his Majesty's guests, will the Queen be present?"asked Frank; "and if she is, which of us is to have the honour ofhanding her in to dinner?"

  "You forget, Frank, there is more than one Mrs Umboo. I believe thereare as many as a dozen, if not more."

  "Well, then, they won't all dine, I suppose, at least not on the sameday. I dare say they'll take it in turns, so as to have the advantageof improving their manners by European polish," said Wilmore. "By thebye, were those his wives or his daughters that were sitting on theskins at the back of the tent. There was one of them who was verynearly being handsome. If it hadn't been for her hair, which stronglyresembled a black scrubbing brush, I think she would have been!"

  "Ay, I n
oticed her casting glances at you, Frank," said Nick. "If shewas one of Umboo's wives, it is a good job that the royal eyes couldn'tsee through the back of the head to which they belonged, or his Majestymight have ordered you both to be burned, or impaled, or disposed ofafter some pleasant fashion of the like description. But we will hopeshe was a princess, not a queen."

  "With all my heart," said Frank, laughing. "Perhaps she was thePrincess Royal and, in default of issue male, the heiress presumptive ofthe crown. It would be great promotion to become Crown Prince of theNamaquas. But here is Charles waiting to speak as soon as he can thrusta word in edgewise. Well, Charles, what is it?"

  "Why, if you fellows have done chaffing, there is something ofimportance which I have to tell you."

  "Ay, indeed, and what may that be?" inquired Gilbert.

  "Why, you know that I have had some conversations with Omatoko inDutch?"

  "Yes, we all know that."

  "But you, perhaps, did _not_ know that I understand something of theHottentot language also."

  "Certainly, none of us understood that," observed Frank. "Why, Charles,how could you ever learn it? It seems to me nothing but a series ofchicks, as though they were rattling castanets with their tongues."

  "I was laid up once with an accident on a shooting expedition, and wasnursed by the Hottentots. I picked up enough of their lingo tounderstand generally what they say, though I don't think I could talkit," answered Charles.

  "Why didn't you tell Omatoko so? It would have saved some trouble?"asked Warley.

  "Why, you see, Ernest, I have had my suspicions of Omatoko from thefirst--that is, I have never been quite satisfied about his good faith,though I thought it better to follow his counsel. But I knew when wereached the village, that he would speak freely of his real intentionsto his countrymen, not having any suspicion that I understood a word ofwhat he was saying."

  "That was very well thought of," said Warley, "and it was very wise alsoto keep your intention to yourself. I am glad I didn't know it, anyway. But what did you learn to-day?"

  "I learned, among other things, that the force which it was supposed theEnglish government would send to reconquer the Cape from the Dutch, hasactually sailed, if it has not landed; and, in my opinion, it is largeenough to render any resistance on the part of the Dutch hopeless--thatis, if its strength is correctly reported."

  "You don't mean that, Charles! How could these Hottentots know anythingabout the matter?"

  "They are much keener, and take a stronger interest in these things thanyou fancy. They have always bitterly regretted the restoration of thecolony to Holland, and the idea of the English again assuming thegovernment is very acceptable to them. It appears that an Americanfrigate brought the news on Christmas Day of the approach of an Englishsquadron with troops on board, and the news flew like wildfire throughthe country. The Hottentots heard of it nearly a week ago; but I mustdo Omatoko the justice to say, that he did not know it."

  "Well, go on. That, I suppose, is one of the circumstances which hasinduced Umboo to treat us so civilly?"

  "Well, perhaps, in some degree that may be so. But Umboo is not at allsure that the English will get the better of the Dutch, and he won'tcommit himself to either side, until he sees which is likely to gain theday."

  "Ah, I see. If the English win, he will make a merit of sending us safeto Cape Town; and if the Dutch get the upper hand, he'll hand us over asprisoners to the Governor."

  "That's very nearly it, I judge, Ernest. Well, as soon as Omatokolearned about the English fleet, he suggested that we should remain inthe kraal, while a messenger was sent southward to ascertain the exactposition of things in the colony; and meanwhile a hut should be assignedus, and he and his nephew would keep a careful eye on us."

  "How kind of them!" said Nick.

  "It's the way of the world, Nick," said Lavie; "in England, I am afraid,as much as in Namaqua-land. Well, that being settled, the matter aboutthe Bushmen came up next. It appears Omatoko knows where they are to befound. He overheard them talking of their plans. They took no troubleindeed to disguise them, considering him to be as good as dead already."

  "What are they going to do?" asked Wilmore.

  "Going to attack and exterminate, if possible, the Bushmen. Spies areto be sent to make sure of their whereabouts, and then a chosen party ofwarriors will go against them."

  "They don't expect us to accompany them, I hope," said Warley.

  "Well, from what was said, I am afraid they do--that is, they mean tourge it. You see, they know the immense advantage our rifles have overtheir bows and arrows, and our presence would enable them to effecttheir purpose with certainty."

  "Well, I suppose you will refuse, Charles, won't you? You don't want usto become mercenary cutthroats for the benefit of these savages?"

  "That is putting it rather strong," observed Gilbert. "These fellowshave attempted murder--murder of the most cruel kind, and deservepunishment--remember that."

  "They have done us no wrong, at all events," said Warley; "it cannot beour business to punish them. Besides, shooting these unhappy savagesdown is not the way to teach them better."

  "You are right, Ernest," said Lavie. "I, for one, will have nothing todo with any attack upon them. They may oblige us to accompany them, toprevent our escape, but I will take no part in the fighting."

  "Nor I," said Frank, "I am not going to kill these poor helplesswretches to please any one."

  "Very good," added Nick; "I have no wish to do it, either."

  "Well, then," said Lavie, "we are agreed. We will stay quietly hereuntil the answer comes from the Cape. Five to one our fellows havethrashed these Dutchmen as soundly as they did before, and the colony isours again by this time; in which case Umboo will be our humble servant.If the messenger doesn't return before the party set out to attack theBushmen, we will go with them, if required, but only as spectators. Isthat agreed?"

  "Agreed, _nem. con._," said Frank. "And now, here, I suppose, comesdinner. We are not to have the honour of seats at the royal table,then!"

  "No, that will be reserved for us when Umboo has learned of the defeatof the Dutchmen," said Gilbert.

  The food served up to them was better and more palatable than they hadexpected. It consisted chiefly of the flesh of one of the koodoos, andwas partly broiled and partly sodden.

  "Not bad this," exclaimed Gilbert, as a third slice was handed to him,which he disposed of after the same fashion which prevailed in the timeof Adam and Eve, viz., by the help of his fingers and teeth. "Theyhaven't so bad an idea of cooking after all."

  "And these figs and pomegranates are not to be despised either,"observed Frank. "They would go down well at a West End dinner!"

  "But whatever are these?" cried Nick, digging his hands into a basket ofwhat seemed to be burnt almonds, being a heap of oval substances, aboutthe size of a filbert, and partially roasted. "Hum! a strange sort oftaste, but rather nice, too. Have some, Charles, you'll find themrather good eating."

  "Thank you, Nick," returned Lavie, gravely, "I am not fond of insects,or I would have a few."

  "Insects!" repeated Gilbert, in a tone of mingled surprise and disgust."You can't mean that, to be sure!" He dropped the handful to which hehad just helped himself, and looked at the doctor with mouth and eyeswide open.

  "They are locusts, if I don't mistake," said the latter. "Hand them uphere, Frank, and I'll take a closer look at them. Yes, they arelocusts. These Hottentots consider them a great dainty."

  "The nasty wretches!" cried Nick, starting up and throwing away theviands he had been consuming. "To think I should live to sup onbeetles! Hand us the bowl of milk there, Ernest. I suppose _that's_all right, isn't it? That comes from a cow, and not a crocodile, orsomething of the sort?"

  "Yes, that's all right, Nick," said Lavie, laughing; "and, after all,there are many other people who eat locusts besides these Hottentots."

  "Every one to his taste," said Gilbert, setting d
own the bowl after along draught. "Mine doesn't incline to roasted insects. However, thatmilk has pretty well taken the taste out. And now, I suppose the nextthing is to go to bed. I was up very early this morning, and have had ahard day of it. What do you say, Frank?"

  "I say ditto to you," said Wilmore. "I shall just roll myself up in oneof these skins to keep off the flies, and shut up for the night. Goodnight, Lion, old boy; I wish you a sound repose."

  The two boys accordingly wrapped themselves in the deer-hides which werescattered on the floor, and lay down, each with a roll of matting for apillow. In two or three minutes their regular breathing announced thatthey were fast asleep. But Ernest and Charles did not follow theirexample. They sat near the entrance of the hut, smoking their pipes,and conversing on subjects which had but little interest for theircompanions.

  "These Hottentots are a strange race," observed Warley. "I supposenothing is really known of their origin and history."

  "Nothing, I believe, with any certainty," returned the doctor. "Theyseem to have no traditions on the subject, which is a rare circumstancein the history of any people. Their very name is uncertain. Europeanscall them Hottentots, or Namaquas, but they themselves do notacknowledge either title. Neither word, in fact, exists in theirlanguage. They call some of their tribes `Oerlams,' meaning new-comersin the land, and others `Topnars,' or the ancient aboriginalinhabitants. But the early history of these latter is quite unknown."

  "And what do you imagine to be their origin, Charles? They look verymuch like Chinese or Tartars. They have been supposed to be of Chineseorigin, have they not?"

  "I believe so; but on no intelligible grounds that I ever heard. I havea theory of my own about them; but I don't suppose many would share it."

  "What is your theory?"

  "Well, I connect them with that strange story in Herodotus, of thecircumnavigation of Africa, nearly 2500 years ago. You know the story,I suppose?"

  "I remember reading it. I think Herodotus says that Necos, or PharaohNecho, sent some Phoenicians to circumnavigate Africa. They set outfrom the Red Sea, I suppose, and sailed through the Straits ofBabel-Mandeb. In the third year of their voyage, they returned throughthe Pillars of Hercules, along the northern coast of Africa to Memphis."

  "Yes, that is right. They reported, if you remember as a circumstanceaccounted by Herodotus as incredible, that when they had sailed somedistance along the eastern shore of Africa, they had the sun on theirright hand."

  "Just so. And I have always regarded that statement as an unanswerableproof that they really did make the voyage as they asserted."

  "I quite agree with you. Well, their story was that in the autumn of_their_ year, but the spring in South Africa, they went on shore, sowedsome land with corn, and waited till the crop was gathered in, when theystored it on board, and resumed their voyage. They did this twice, butin the third year reached home."

  "That was their report, exactly, I believe. But what then?"

  "Why, I think the Hottentots must be the descendants of some of theEgyptians who went on that voyage; for though the ships were navigatedby Phoenicians, the crews were in all likelihood Egyptian. If youdivide the coast-line from the Red Sea to Gibraltar into three equalparts, the spots which make one-third and two-thirds of the distance,are the mouth of the Zambesi river, and the coast of great Namaqua-land.Now, the Phoenicians and Egyptians, who made up the expedition, musthave remained several months at each place. What more likely that theywould intermarry with any native women they might find there; nay, is itimprobable that some one or two remained behind, and became theprogenitors of the Hottentots and Bushmen?"

  "It is what often happens in such expeditions, no doubt. But is thereany resemblance between the old Egyptians and these Hottentots?"

  "Yes, several very curious resemblances. Their personal appearance isexactly like that of the ancient Copts, who still inhabit some parts ofEgypt; and there is one very remarkable peculiarity, which anatomistssay is to be found only in these two races. The Coptic nearly resemblesthe Hottentot language, a good many roots and some words being the samein both. They have several customs in common; as for instance, theywill not eat swine's flesh, and they worship a kind of beetle, which Ibelieve no other nations do. Lastly, the Bushmen, who are believed tobe a more degraded branch of the same race, ornament walls and flatslabs of rock with mural paintings, in which travellers have recogniseda likeness to those of ancient Egypt."

  "Well, that is curious, certainly. I should like to see thosepaintings. But, supposing your theory as to the Hottentots being ofCoptic descent to be true, they might have made their way southwards insuccessive ages through Central Africa, might they not?"

  "Of course, and so might the Kaffirs, who also are like the oldEgyptians in many things. But if that were so, surely some traces ofthem would be found somewhere in Central Africa. They would hardly havepassed through a vast tract of country in the slow succession ofgenerations, and left no mark of their residence behind."