knew, that only weak-headed superstitious idiots would put the slightest
faith in the drivelling nonsense of deceiving or self-deceived Kafir
medicine-men. These things, indeed, I pointed out with much vigour to
Saduko before we turned in on the last night of the hunt.

Saduko listened in silence and said nothing at all, except that he would
not keep me up any longer, as I must be tired.

Now, whatever may be the reason for it, my experience in life is that it
is never wise to brag about anything. At any rate, on a hunting trip,
to come to a particular instance, wait until you are safe at home till
you begin to do so. Of the truth of this ancient adage I was now
destined to experience a particularly fine and concrete example.

The place where we had camped was in scattered bush overlooking a great
extent of dry reeds, that in the wet season was doubtless a swamp fed by
a small river which ran into it on the side opposite to our camp.
During the night I woke up, thinking that I heard some big beasts moving
in these reeds; but as no further sounds reached my ears I went to sleep
again.

Shortly after dawn I was awakened by a voice calling me, which in a hazy
fashion I recognised as that of Umbezi.

"Macumazahn," said the voice in a hoarse whisper, "the reeds below us
are full of buffalo. Get up. Get up at once."

"What for?" I answered. "If the buffalo came into the reeds they will
go out of them. We do not want meat."