and ready to run up the hill; while gnus,
tsessebes, and zebras gazed in astonishment at the intruders. Some fed
carelessly, and others put on the peculiar air of displeasure which
these animals sometimes assume before they resolve on flight. A large
white rhinoceros came along the bottom of the valley with his slow
sauntering gait without noticing us; he looked as if he meant to indulge
in a mud bath. Several buffaloes, with their dark visages, stood under
the trees on the side opposite to the pallahs. It being Sunday, all was
peace, and, from the circumstances in which our party was placed, we
could not but reflect on that second stage of our existence which we
hope will lead us into scenes of perfect beauty. If pardoned in that
free way the Bible promises, death will be a glorious thing; but to be
consigned to wait for the Judgment-day, with nothing else to ponder on
but sins we would rather forget, is a cheerless prospect.

Our Bushmen wished to leave us, and, as there was no use in trying to
thwart these independent gentlemen, I paid them, and allowed them to go.
The payment, however, acted as a charm on some strangers who happened to
be present, and induced them to volunteer their aid.

The game hereabouts is very tame. Koodoos and giraffes stood gazing
at me as a strange apparition when I went out with the Bushmen. On one
occasion a lion came at daybreak, and went round and round the oxen. I
could only get a glimpse of him occasionally from the wagon-box; but,
though barely thirty yards off, I could not get a shot. He then began to
roar at the top of his voice; but the oxen continuing to stand still, he
was so disgusted that he went off, and continued to use his voice for a
long time in the distance. I could not see that he had a mane; if he
had not, then even the maneless variety can use their tongues. We heard
others also roar; and, when they found they could not frighten the oxen,
they became equally angry. This we could observe in their tones.

As we went north the country became very lovely; many new trees
appeared; the grass was green, and often higher than the wagons; the
vines festooned the trees, among which appeared the real banian ('Ficus
Indica'), with its drop-shoots, and the wild date and palmyra, and
several other trees which were new to me; the hollows contained large
patches of water. Next came water-courses, now resembling small rivers,
twenty yards broad and four feet deep. The further we went