Part 23 (1/2)
Having filled their water-kegs, the next ht they yoked the oxen and left the banks of the Cradock or Black River, to proceed h the Bushmen's country; but as they were aware that there was no water to be procured, if they quitted the streaether, till they arrived at the Val or Yellow River, they decided upon following the course of the Black River to the ard for some time, before they struck off for the Val or Yellow River, near to which they expected to fall in with plenty of gah at that season of the year the river was nearly dry, still there was a scanty herbage on and near its bank, interh reeds; this was sufficient for the pasture of the cattle, but it was infested with lions and other animals, which at the dry season of the year kept near the river-bank for a supply of water
By noon they had proceeded about fifteen miles to the ard, and as they advanced they found that the supply of water in the river was more abundant; they then unyoked the cattle to allow theerous to turn theht As they were in no hurry, they resolved that they would only travel for the future fro were to be spent in hunting, and at night they were to halt the caravan and secure every thing as before, by inclosing the horses and sheep, and tying up the oxen
By this arrangement the cattle would not be exhausted with their labor, and they would have ti the wild ani a constant supply of food for the now traveled as far as they wished, they stopped at the foot of a rising ground, about a quarter of a mile froe clump of mimosa and other trees
As soon as the cattle were unyoked and had gone down to the river to drink, our travelers ordered their horses to be saddled, and as the banks of the river on that side were low, they rode up to the rising ground to view the country beyond, and to ascertain what gaht
When they arrived at the suh the trees, Omrah pointed to a broken branch, and said, ”Elephant here not long ago”
Breht, and that the animals could not have left more than a week, and that probably they had followed the course of the stream The print of another foot was observed by Oive the anilish or Dutch, he inoo?” said Alexander
O his hands up,
”Come here, Bremen; what print of a hoof is this?” said Swinton
”Buffalo, sir,--fresh print--was here last night”
”That's an animal that I am anxious to slay,” said the Major
”You must be very careful that he does not slay _you_,” replied Swinton; ”for it is a erous beast, almost as much so as a lion”
”Well, we must not return without one, at all events,” said Alexander; ”nor without a lion also, as soon as we can find one alone; but those we have seen in the daytime have always been in threes and fours, and I think the odds too great with our party; but the first single lion we fall in with, I vote we try for his skin”
”Agreed,” replied the Major; ”what do you say, Swinton?”
”Why, I say agreed also; but as I cas rather than lions, I should say, as far as I am concerned, that the best part of valor would be discretion However, depend upon it, if you go after a lion I shall be with you: I have often been at the destruction of them ith Dutch boors; but then recollect we have no horses to spare, and therefore we must not exactly follow their method”
”How do they hunt the lions, then?” inquired Alexander
”They hunt them more for self-defense than for pleasure,” replied Swinton; ”but on the outskirts of the colony the lions are so destructive to the herds, that the colonists o out, ten or twelve of theuns, not fewer if possible; and you must recollect that these boors are not only very cool, brave men, but most excellent shots I fear you will not find that nu our present party, as, with the exception of our three selves and Breman and Swanevelt, I do not believe that there is one man here ould face a lion; so that e do attack one, it will be at a disadvantage
”The Dutch boors, as soon as they have ascertained where the lion lies, approach the bushes to within a , they ether with their bridles and halters In this there is danger, as so out upon them at once, and, if so, probably not only horses but men are sacrificed If the lion remains quiet, which is usually the case, they advance toward hienerallyat half that distance; but as they advance, they back their horses toward hi that the lion will spring upon the horses
”As they move forward, the lion at first looks at thes his tail as if in a playful hurowls, as if to warn theradually draws up his hind legs under his body, ready for a spring at the of hi like fire; for he is then fully enraged, and in the act of springing the next nal is given for half the party to fire If they are not successful in laying his like a thunderbolt upon the horses The remainder of the party then fire, and seldoenerally one or more of the horses are either killed or so wounded as to be destroyed in consequence; and soh rarely, one or more of the hunters share the sae, it is a service of danger, and therefore should not be undertaken without due precaution”
”Very true, Swinton; but it will never do to return to the Cape without having killed a lion”
”As you please; but even that would be better than being killed yourself by a lion, and not returning at all However, my opinion is that you will have to kill a lion before you have traveledin quest of him There are hundreds of them here; as many as there are in Na to seven or eight splendid antelopes about a mile distant
”I see,” replied the Major ”What are they?”
”Gemsbok,” said Swinton ”Noill thank you for a speciet it forfroet within shot”
”They are, indeed, noble anie male, which appears to be the leader and master of the herd What splendid horns!” cried Alexander