ay at first
excite suspicion, if not doubt. But, as I have before observed, the
account would, in all probability, not be rejected by a naturalist,
although it might be by people without much knowledge of the animal
kingdom, who would not be able to judge by comparison whether the
existence of such an animal was credible. Even fabulous animals have
had their origin from existing ones. The unicorn is, no doubt, the
gemsbok antelope; for when you look at the animal at a distance, its two
horns appear as if they were only one, and the Bushmen have so portrayed
the animal in their caves. The dragon also is not exactly imaginary;
for, the _Lacerta volans_, or flying lizard of Northern Africa, is very
like a small dragon in miniature. So that even what has been considered
as fabulous has arisen from exaggeration or mistake."

"You think, then, Swinton, that we are bound to believe all that
travellers tell us?"

"Not so; but not to reject what they assert, merely because it does not
correspond with our own ideas on the subject. The most remarkable
instance of unbelief was relative to the aerolites or meteoric stones
formed during a thunder-storm in the air, and falling to the earth. Of
course you have heard that such have occurred?"

"I have," replied the Major, "and I have seen several in India."

"This was treated as a mere fable not a century back; and when it was
reported (and not the first time) that such a stone had fallen in
France, the _savants_ were sent in deputation to the spot. They heard
the testimony of the witnesses; that a loud noise was heard in the air;
that they looked up and beheld an opaque body descending; that it fell
on the earth with a force which nearly buried it in the ground, and was
so hot at the time that it could not be touched with the hand. It after
became cold. Now the _savants_ heard all this, and pronounced that it
could not be; and for a long while every report of the kind was treated
with contempt. Now every one knows, and every one is fully satisfied of
the fact, and not the least surprise is expressed when they are told of
the circumstance. As Shakespeare makes Hamlet observe very
truly--`There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are
dreamt of in your philosophy.'"

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

There was no alarm during the night, and the next morning they yoked the
oxen and changed their course to the northward. The whole of the cattle
had been led down