imed the former.

"I'm sure I can't tell," said Percy. "There's not a ford here, at all
events."

"We'll soon show you," said Denis.

The oxen were outspanned, and while the Hottentots began unloading the
waggon, the Kaffirs, headed by their leader, went along the river, and
cut down a number of poles of a soft buoyant wood. These they
immediately began to form into a couple of rafts. The waggon being
unloaded, was next rapidly taken to pieces, and the wheels lashed
together, while the upper sides and pole being removed, the rest of the
vehicle formed a strong and substantial raft. Long poles and paddles
having been procured, a portion of the goods were placed on it and the
other rafts. Four of the Kaffirs then stepped on the smallest two,
having long poles and two paddles, and commenced the passage, shouting
loudly as they did so, the paddlers splashing the water.

"What do they make all that noise for?" asked Crawford.

"Sure to frighten away the crocodiles," answered Denis. "The beasts
would otherwise be running their snouts against the raft, wanting to see
what it is, or they would be catching hold of the horses or oxen as they
swim across."

The first raft having reached the opposite bank in safety, the passage
of the waggon, of which Hendricks himself took charge, was commenced.
This, being heavier, required a larger crew, but even then it was some
time in getting across. The cargo from the first raft being landed, it
returned for a further freight, bringing back some of the men who had
crossed in the waggon, while the rest, under the direction of Hendricks,
began putting the vehicle together. The second raft began to cross, the
people in charge of it shouting and shrieking as before. All this time
the Hottentots had remained with the oxen and horses, as they were to
cross last, while Crawford and Percy, with Denis and Lionel, employed
themselves in loading the rafts. It had been arranged that they should
cross on the smallest raft after the cattle had swam over.

While they were thus employed, three of the horses, whose legs had been
left free, discovering that they would have to cross the river, and
apparently not liking the undertaking, took it into their heads to
gallop off. When the Hottentots ran after them, the cattle began to
scatter in a way which threatened a general stampede; they were
therefore obliged to return in order to keep the animals together, "This
won't do!" cried Denis. "C