Well, as it chanced, we had not so much as seen a buffalo, and as the road which we were going to take back to the kraal ran over high, bare country that these animals did not frequent, there was now little prospect of our doing so--all of which, of course, showed what I already knew, that only weak-headed superstitious idiots would put the slightest faith in the drivelling nonsense of deceiving or self-deceived Kafir medicine-men.

These things, indeed, I pointed out with much vigour to Saduko before we turned in on the last night of the hunt.
Saduko listened in silence and said nothing at all, except that he would not keep me up any longer, as I must be tired.
Now, whatever may be the reason for it, my experience in life is that it is never wise to brag about anything.

At any rate, on a hunting trip, to come to a particular instance, wait until you are safe at home till you begin to do so.

Of the truth of this ancient adage I was now destined to experience a particularly fine and concrete example.
The place where we had camped was in scattered bush overlooking a great extent of dry reeds, that in the wet season was doubtless a swamp fed by a small river which ran into it on the side opposite to our camp.

During the night I woke up, thinking that I heard some big beasts moving in these reeds; but as no further sounds reached my ears I went to sleep again.
Shortly after dawn I was awakened by a voice calling me, which in a hazy fashion I recognised as that of Umbezi.
"Macumazahn," said the voice in a hoarse whisper, "the reeds below us are full of buffalo.