To return to actual examples of the alleged supernormal acquisition of knowledge by savages:  Dr. Brinton gives an example from Charlevoix and General Mason Brown’s anecdote.[8] In General Mason Brown’s instance the medicine-man, at a great distance, bade his emissaries ’seek three whites, whose horses, arms, attire, and personal appearance he minutely described, which description was repeated to General Brown by the warriors before they saw his two companions.’ General Brown assured Dr. Brinton of ’the accuracy of this in every particular.’  Mr. Tylor has certainly not improved the story in his condensed version.  Dr. Brinton refers to ‘many’ tales such as these, and some will be found in ‘Among the Zulus,’ by Mr. David Leslie (1875).

Mr. Leslie was a Scottish sportsman, brought up from boyhood in familiarity with the Zulus.  His knowledge of their language and customs was minute, and his book, privately printed, contains much interesting matter.  He writes: 

’I was obliged to proceed to the Zulu country to meet my Kaffir elephant-hunters, the time for their return having arrived.  They were hunting in a very unhealthy country, and I had agreed to wait for them on the North-East border, the nearest point I could go to with safety.  I reached the appointed rendezvous, but could not gain the slightest intelligence of my people at the kraal.

’After waiting some time, and becoming very uneasy about them, one of my servants recommended me to go to the doctor, and at last, out of curiosity and pour passer le temps, I did go.

’I stated what I wanted—­information about my hunters—­and I was met by a stern refusal.  “I cannot tell anything about white men,” said he, “and I know nothing of their ways.”  However, after some persuasion and promise of liberal payment, impressing upon him the fact that it was not white men but Kaffirs I wanted to know about, he at last consented, saying “he would open the Gate of Distance, and would travel through it, even although his body should lie before me.”

’His first proceeding was to ask me the number and names of my hunters.  To this I demurred, telling him that if he obtained that information from me he might easily substitute some news which he may have heard from others, instead of the “spiritual telegraphic news” which I expected him to get from his “familiar.”

’To this he answered:  “I told you I did not understand white men’s ways; but if I am to do anything for you it must be done in my way—­not yours.”  On receiving this fillip I felt inclined to give it up, as I thought I might receive some rambling statement with a considerable dash of truth, it being easy for anyone who knew anything of hunting to give a tolerably correct idea of their motions.

’However, I conceded this point also, and otherwise satisfied him.