CHAPTER THREE.
THE "SPRINGHAAN." "Ah! the _springhaan_!" cried Von Bloom, recognising the Dutch name for the far-famed migratory locust.
The mystery was explained.

The singular cloud that was spreading itself over the plain was neither more nor less than a flight of locusts! It was a sight that none of them, except Swartboy, had ever witnessed before.

His master had often seen locusts in small quantities, and of several species,--for there are many kinds of these singular insects in South Africa.

But that which now appeared was a true migratory locust (_Gryllus devastatorius_); and upon one of its great migrations--an event of rarer occurrence than travellers would have you believe.
Swartboy knew them well; and, although he announced their approach in a state of great excitement, it was not the excitement of terror.
Quite the contrary.

His great thick lips were compressed athwart his face in a grotesque expression of joy.