Chapter I: Preface

From the days of my boyhood I had been stirred with the desire to devote myself in some way to the exploration of Africa, and whenever I came across the narratives of travellers who had contributed anything towards the opening up of the dark continent, I only read them to find that they gave a more definite shape to my longings.

It was in 1872 that an opportunity was afforded me of gratifying my wish, and I then decided that South Africa should be the field of my researches. For seven years I applied myself to my undertaking with all the energy, and with the best resources that, as a solitary individual, I could command, and was enabled to make the three journeys which are described in the following pages.

On my third return to the Diamond-fields I was urged by my South African friends immediately to publish an account of my travels; my time, however, was so engrossed by my medical practice that I had no leisure for the purpose, and contented myself with merely sending a few fragmentary articles to some of the South African newspapers.

But on arriving in London I was again so repeatedly solicited to make public what I had seen, that, on reaching home, I determined to issue these volumes containing an account of the leading incidents in my travelling experiences. To enter into the details of all the scientific observations that I made would occupy me for at least three years, and would interfere altogether with my scheme for returning to Africa as soon as possible, so that I have been satisfied to leave these results of my labours to be worked out by the co-operation of the men of science to whom they may be of interest.

I cherish the hope that these volumes may tend to increase the public interest which is now so powerfully drawn to South Africa, and I trust that the time is not far distant when I may submit to the public some further researches relating to “the continent of the future.”

EMIL HOLUB.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE

VOYAGE TO THE CAPE--CAPE TOWN--PORT ELIZABETH 1

CHAPTER II.

JOURNEY TO THE DIAMOND FIELDS 24

CHAPTER III.

THE DIAMOND FIELDS.

Ups-and-downs of medical practice--Mode of working
the diggings--The kopjes--Morning markets--My first
baboon-hunt--Preparation for first journey 53

CHAPTER IV.

FROM DUTOITSPAN TO LIKATLONG.

My travelling-companions--Departure from the
Diamond-fields--The Vaal River and valley--Visit to Koranna
village--Structure of Koranna huts--Social condition of
the Korannas--Klipdrift--Distinction between Bechuanas and
Korannas--Interior of a Koranna hut--Fauna of the Vaal
valley--A bad road--A charming glen--Cobras and their
venom--Ring-neck snakes--The mud in the Harts River 93

CHAPTER V.

FROM LIKATLONG TO WONDERFONTEIN.

Batlapin life--Weaver-birds and their nests--A Batlapin
farmstead--Ant-hills--Travelling Batlapins--An
alarming accident--Springbockfontein--Gassibone and
his residence--An untempting dish--On the bank of the
Vaal--Water lizards--Christiana--Bloemhof--Stormy
night--Pastures by the Vaal--Cranes--Dutch
hunters--A sportsman’s Eldorado--Surprised by black
gnus--Guinea-fowl--Klerksdorp--Potchefstroom--The Mooi
River valley--Geological notes--Wonderfontein and its
grottoes--Otters, birds, and snakes 118

CHAPTER VI.

RETURN JOURNEY TO DUTOITSPAN.

Departure from Wonderfontein--Potchefstroom again--A
mistake--Expenses of transport--Rennicke’s Farm--A
concourse of birds--Gildenhuis--A lion-hunt--Hallwater
Farm and Salt-pan--A Batlapin delicacy--Rough
travelling--Hebron--Return to Dutoitspan--The Basutos 182

CHAPTER VII.

FROM DUTOITSPAN TO MUSEMANYANA.

Preparation for second
journey--Travelling-companions--Departure--A
diamond--A lovely evening--Want of water--A
conflagration--Hartebeests--An expensive
draught--Gassibone’s kraal--An adventure with a cobra--A
clamorous crowd--A smithy--The mission-station at
Taung--Maruma--Thorny places--Cheap diamonds--Pelted by
baboons--Reception at Musemanyana 216

CHAPTER VIII.

FROM MUSEMANYANA TO MOSHANENG.

Departure from Musemanyana--The Quagga Flats--Hyæna-hunt
by moonlight--Makalahari horsemanship--Konana--A lion on
the Sitlagole--Animal life on the table-land--Gnu-hunt
at night--A missing comrade--Piles of bones--Hunting a
wild goose--South African spring-time--Molema’s Town--Mr.
Webb and the Mission-house--The chief Molema--Huss
Hill--Neighbourhood of Moshaneng--Illustrious visitors 252

CHAPTER IX.

FROM MOSHANENG TO MOLOPOLOLE.

King Montsua and Christianity--Royal gifts--The Banquaketse
highlands--Signs of tropical vegetation--Hyæna-dogs--Ruins
of Mosilili’s Town--Rock-rabbits--A thari--Molopolole 294

CHAPTER X.

FROM MOLOPOLOLE TO SHOSHONG.

Picturesque situation of Molopolole--Sechele’s
territory--Bakuena architecture--Excursion up the glen--The
missionaries--Kotlas--My reception by Sechele--A young
prince--Environs of Molopolole--Manners and customs of
the Bechuanas--Religious ceremonies--Linyakas--Medical
practice--Amulets--Moloi--The exorcising of
Khame--Rain-doctors--Departure from Molopolole--A painful
march--Want of water--The Barwas and Masarwas--Their
superstition and mode of hunting--New Year’s Day in the
wilderness--Lost in the woods--Saved by a Masarwa--Wild
honey--The Bamangwato highlands--Arrival at Shoshong 312