Part 30 (1/2)
The sun went down at last; the poor oxen toiled on with their tongues hanging out of their mouths At sunset, the relay oxen were yoked, and they continued their course by the stars The horses had been refreshed, as Swinton had proposed; but they were too uns on their shoulders, and the dogs loose, to give notice of any danger, noalked by the sides of the wagons over the sandy ground The stars shone out brilliantly, and even the tired cattle felt relief, froht air All was silent, except the creaking of the wheels of the wagons, and the occasional sighs of the exhausted oxen, as they thus passed through the desert
”Well,” observed the Major, after they had walked about an hour without speaking, ”I don't knohat your thoughts may have been all this while, but it has occurred to ths; and I think that I have been very selfish, in persuading Wilone and are likely to undergo, iraffe”
”I presu assisted to induce him; but you know a naturalist is so ardent in his pursuit that he thinks of nothing else”
”I do not think that you have either of you much to answer for,” replied Alexander; ”I was just as anxious to go as you were; and as far as I aain, till we have executed our proposed plans We none of us undertook this journey with the expectation ofwith no difficulties or no privations; and I fully anticipatenow If I get back on foot, and without a sole left to my shoe, I shall be quite content; at the same time, I will not continue it if you both wish to return”
”Indeed, o on; but I was afraid that ere running you into dangers which we have no right to do”
”You have a right, allowing that I did not myself wish to proceed,”
replied Alexander ”You escorted h the country to ascertain a point in which you had not the slightest interest, and it would indeed be rewarding you very ill, if I were now to refuse to gratify you: but the fact is, I a lad to hear you say so,” replied the Major, ”as it makes my mind at ease; what time do you think it is, Swinton?”
”It is about three o'clock; we shall soon have daylight, and I hope with daylight we shall have soht to cheer us We have traveled well, and can not bybe far fro we have ed from our course, the poor animals will soon be relieved”
They traveled on another weary hour, when Beguons; the oxen raised their heads to the wind, and those which were not in the yokes after a short while broke froalloped off, followed by the horses, sheep, and dogs The oxen in the yokes also becae themselves from the traces
”They have smelt the water; it is not far off, sir,” said Breo”
”Yes, by all means,” said Alexander
So impatient were the poor beasts, that it was very difficult to disengage them, and many broke loose before it could be effected; as soon as they were freed, they followed their companions at the same rapid pace
”At all events, we shall knohere to find the: ”well, I really so felt for the poor animals that I am as happy as if I was as thirsty as they are, and was now quenching ht”
As the day dawned, they continued to advance in the direction that the aniuished the trees that bordered the river, which was about two ht, they perceived that the whole landscape had changed in appearance Even where they alking there was herbage, and near to the river it appeared most luxuriant Tall mimosa-trees were to be seen in every direction, and in the distance large forests of tireen, and appeared to them as a paradise after the desert in which they had been wandering on the evening before As they arrived at the river's banks, they were saluted with the lively notes of the birds hy praise, and found the cattle, after slaking their thirst, were now quietly feeding upon the luxuriant grass which surrounded them
”Wellrivers,” said Alexander; ”noe feel the truth and beauty of the language; one would als were indited in these wilds”
”If not in these, they certainly were in the Eastern countries, which assily with the passed through the country that you can fully appreciate their beauties We never know the real value of any thing till we have felt what it is to be deprived of it; and in a temperate climate, with a pump in every house, people can not truly esti rivers'”
The Hottentots having now arrived, the cattle were driven back to the wagons and yoked, that they ht up to a spot which had been selected for their encampment In the ht's walk, lay down under a large mimosa-tree, close to the banks of the river
”We shall stay here a day or two, of course,” said the Major
”Yes, for the sake of the cattle; the poor creatures deserve a couple of days' rest”
”Do you observe how the mimosas are torn up on the other side of the river?” said Swinton; ”the elephants have been very numerous there lately”
”Why do they tear the trees up?” said Alexander
”To feed upon the long roots, which are very sweet; they destroy an immense number of the smaller trees in that manner”