Without the precious milk, which she yielded in such quantity, their diet would have been savage enough; and they fully appreciated the service she rendered them.
Each day she was driven out to the best pasture, and at night shut up in a safe kraal of wait-a-bit thorns, that had been built for her at a little distance from the tree.

These thorns had been placed in such a manner that their shanks all radiated inward, while the bushy tops were turned out, forming a _chevaux-de-frise_, that scarce any animal would have attempted to get through.

Such a fence will turn even the lion, unless when he has been rendered fierce and reckless by provocation.
Of course a gap had been left for the cow to pass in and out, and this was closed by one immense bush, which served all the purpose of a gate.
Such was the kraal of "old Graaf." Besides the cow, the only living thing that remained in camp was Truey's little pet, the fawn of the gazelle.
But on that very day another pet was added, a dear little creature, not less beautiful than the springbok, and of still more diminutive proportions.

That was the fawn of an "ourebi,"-- one of the elegant little antelopes that are found in such variety over the plains and in the "bush" of Southern Africa.
It was to Hendrik they were indebted not only for this pet, but for a dinner of delicate venison, which they had that day eaten, and which all of them, except Swartboy, preferred to elephant-beef.

Hendrik had procured the venison by a shot from his rifle, and in the following manner.