starvation, having been left there in a high fever by his people.  He was so weak that he could not stand, and Mr. Swinton desired the Hottentot who was with him to lift him up, and carry him to the wagons.  Some medicine and good food soon brought the little fellow round again, and he was able to walk about.  He showed no disposition to leave them; indeed he would watch for Mr. Swinton, and follow him as far as he could.  The child evidently appeared to feel attachment and gratitude, and when they were about to depart, Mr. Swinton, through the medium of one of the Hottentots who could speak the language, asked him if he would like to stay with them.  The answer was in the affirmative, and it was decided that he should accompany them, the Major observing that he would be a very good companion for Begum.

“What name shall we give him?” said Swinton.

“Why, as my baboon is by title a princess, I think we can not create him less than a prince.  Let us call him Omrah.”

“Omrah be it then,” replied Mr. Swinton, “until we can name him in a more serious way.”

So Omrah was put into the wagon, with Begum to amuse him, and our travelers took their departure from Graham’s Town.

[Illustration:  THE BUSHMAN BOY.]

CHAPTER X.

It was in the afternoon that they moved from Graham’s Town.  They had intended to have started earlier, but they found it impossible to collect the Hottentots, who were taking their farewells of their wives and their liquor-shops.  As it was, most of them were in a state of intoxication, and it was considered advisable to get them out of the town as soon as possible.  Late in the evening they arrived at Hermann’s Kraal, a small military fort, where they remained for the night to give the Hottentots an opportunity of recovering from the effects of the liquor.  The next morning they again started, and the landscape now changed its aspect, being covered with thick bushes, infested with wild beasts.

A barren and sterile country was soon spread before them, the sun was oppressively hot, and not a sign of water was to be observed in any direction.  At last they arrived at a muddy pool, in which elephants had evidently been enjoying themselves, and the oxen and horses were but too glad to do the same.  At night they halted as before, having lighted fires to keep off the wild beasts and the elephants.

The following morning they renewed their journey at daylight, and the scene again changed; they now plunged into the dense forests bordering on the great Fish River, which they forded in safety.  The prospects all around were very beautiful, the river smoothly gliding through stupendous mountains and precipices, with verdant valleys on each side of its banks.  In the afternoon they arrived at Fort Wiltshire, the outermost defense of the colony, situated on the banks of the Keiskamma.  English troops were stationed there, to prevent any marauding parties from passing the river, or to intercept them on their return with their booty.