My first instinct was to take at once to the bush, and quit the incarnate fiends; but after reflection told me the absurdity of such an act. First, it was broad day, and my figure might easily be distinguished; secondly, the Kaffirs were scattered everywhere about the kraal, so that at any time I might encounter one, whose suspicions would speedily be aroused by seeing me so far from the huts; while, lastly, I was utterly destitute of provisions or weapons. Therefore, after a time, I saw the wisest course was for me to return, and to conform to their customs if necessary--save that of taking unto myself a wife,--and, by keeping my eyes open, seize the first opportunity to escape. So, making a considerable detour, to avoid the spot where the wretched wizard had suffered, and where, to my renewed horror, I perceived by the movements of the men in the distance the torture was still going on--indeed it was some hours before nature finally succumbed, and the man got rest at last in death--I proceeded towards the kraal, but changed my intention on coming across a group of Kaffirs engaged on some work. As I was now looked upon in the most neighbourly manner by them, and also myself desiring to appear friendly, I drew near, and, by signs, entered into conversation. There were three of them squatting upon the ground, with an eland's skin between them, which they were scraping with all their might. Having sat down, and with much gravity, suitable to the solemnity of the occasion, accepted snuff from one of the workers, I made them understand that I should like to know what they were doing. By signs I managed to make out that they were tanning the skin, and watched the process with much interest. They continued to scrape and scrape the inside till it was perfectly free from grease, all the while--if not replying to my dumb-show interrogations, or speaking to me in the same manner--accompanying the operation with songs, snuff-taking, and smoking.