The cleared space was fully half an acre in extent and carefully fenced against the wild pigs.

Paw-paw and banana- trees were just ripening their fruit, while beneath grew sweet potatoes and yams.

On one edge of the clearing was a small grass house, open-sided, a mere rain-shelter.

In front of it, crouched on his hams before a fire, was a gaunt and bearded bushman.

The fire seemed to smoke excessively, and in the thick of the smoke a round dark object hung suspended.