The Bush Boys | Page 6

north, as they

almost invariably do in the southern parts of Africa.
"Yes," said Hendrik, who having been in their midst could tell what
way they were drifting, "they came down upon us from a northerly
direction. When we headed our horses homewards, we soon galloped
out from them, and they did not appear to fly after us; I am sure they
were passing southwards."
Von Bloom entertained hopes that as none appeared due north of the
kraal, the swarm might pass on without extending to the borders of his
farm. He knew that they usually followed the direction of the wind.
Unless the wind changed they would not swerve from their course.
He continued to observe them anxiously. He saw that the selvedge of
the cloud came no nearer. His hopes rose. His countenance grew
brighter. The children noticed this and were glad, but said nothing. All
stood silently watching.
An odd sight it was. There was not only the misty swarm of the insects
to gaze upon. The air above them was filled with birds--strange birds
and of many kinds. On slow, silent wing soared the brown "oricou," the
largest of Africa's vultures; and along with him the yellow "chasse
fiente," the vulture of Kolbe. There swept the bearded "lamvanger," on
broad extended wings. There shrieked the great "Caffre eagle," and side
by side with him the short-tailed and singular "bateleur." There, too,
were hawks of different sizes and colours, and kites cutting through the
air, and crows and ravens, and many species of insectivora. But far
more numerous than all the rest could be seen the little
springhaan-vogel, a speckled bird of nearly the size and form of a
swallow. Myriads of these darkened the air above--hundreds of them
continually shooting down among the insects, and soaring up again,
each with a victim in its beak. "Locust-vultures" are these creatures
named, though not vultures in kind. They feed exclusively on these
insects, and are never seen where the locusts are not. They follow them
through all their migrations, building their nests, and rearing their
young, in the midst of their prey!
It was, indeed, a curious sight to look upon, that swarm of winged

insects, and their numerous and varied enemies; and all stood gazing
upon it with feelings of wonder. Still the living cloud approached no
nearer, and the hopes of Von Bloom continued to rise.
The swarm kept extending to the south--in fact, it now stretched along
the whole western horizon; and all noticed that it was gradually getting
lower down--that is, its top edge was sinking in the heavens. Were the
locusts passing off to the west? No.
"Da am goin' roost for da nacht--now we'll get 'em in bagfull," said
Swartboy, with a pleased look; for Swartboy was a regular locust-eater,
as fond of them as either eagle or kite,--ay, as the "springhaan-vogel"
itself.
It was as Swartboy had stated. The swarm was actually settling down
on the plain.
"Can't fly without sun," continued the Bushman. "Too cold now. Dey
go dead till da mornin."
And so it was. The sun had set. The cool breeze weakened the wings of
the insect travellers, and they were compelled to make halt for the night
upon the trees, bushes, and grass.
In a few minutes the dark mist that had hid the blue rim of the sky, was
seen no more; but the distant plain looked as if a fire had swept over it.
It was thickly covered with the bodies of the insects, that gave it a
blackened appearance, as far as the eye could reach.
The attendant birds, perceiving the approach of night, screamed for
awhile, and then scattered away through the heavens. Some perched
upon the rocks, while others went to roost among the low thickets of
mimosa; and now for a short interval both earth and air were silent.
Von Bloom now bethought him of his cattle. Their forms were seen
afar off in the midst of the locust-covered plain.
"Let 'em feed um little while, baas," suggested Swartboy.

"On what?" inquired his master. "Don't you see the grass is covered!"
"On de springhaan demself, baas," replied the Bushman; "good for
fatten big ox--better dan grass--ya, better dan mealies."
But it was too late to leave the cattle longer out upon the plain. The
lions would soon be abroad--the sooner because of the locusts, for the
king of the beasts does not disdain to fill his royal stomach with these
insects--when he can find them.
Von Bloom saw the necessity of bringing his cattle at once to their
kraal.
A third horse was saddled, which the field-cornet himself mounted, and
rode off, followed by Hendrik and Swartboy.
On approaching the locusts they beheld a singular sight. The ground
was covered with these reddish-brown creatures,