Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 15, 1904.djvu/272

248 others. From that day I have never been troubled by thieves.

One of the most picturesque scenes imaginable is the setting forth of a large herd of cattle every autumn from the villages in the valleys on their way to the fertile table lands of the mountains, where they are sent to winter. The herd boys pack up enough meal, salt, mealies, and Kaffir corn to last for their own use through the winter, and securely fasten these provisions on the backs of the "pack" oxen, which are kept separate from the rest of the herd, and are looked after by the younger boys of the party, who generally ride them, guiding them by hitting the horns. The older herds then take up their musical instruments which they play, leading the way and followed by the whole herd of cattle, and accompanied by several dogs. The pack oxen and boys bring up the rear. They never hurry, the cattle graze as they go, finding abundant pasture by the way.

At Butha-Buthe, in the north, there is a piece of swampy ground which, to the ordinary observer, seems merely a good place for ducks and frogs, yet to the native inhabitants of the country it is more or less sacred ground, for one spot in it is inhabited by a spirit. Some years ago, without any apparent reason, smoke was seen issuing from this Khapong as it is called. No one had set it alight, no sign of human interference could be found, nor did the ground consume away, yet, night and day, through rain and sunshine, for three whole months this streak of smoke was seen to ascend from the self-same spot with never even the smallest tongue of flame to be seen; consequently it came to be regarded as the abode of the Spirit of Maternity,