46 BREAKING-JN OXEN. 



forced through the cartilage of the nose, and to either end 

 of this stick is attached (in bridle fashion) a thin, tough 

 leathern thong. From the extreme tenderness of the nose 

 he is now more easily managed ; but if he is still found very 

 vicious, he is either packed in his prostrate position, or fast- 

 ened with his head to a tree, while two or three persons 

 keep the "riem" tight about his legs, so as to prevent him 

 from turning round or injuring any person with his feet. 

 For the "packing," however, a more common and conven- 

 ient plan is to secure him between two tame oxen, with a 

 person placed outside each of these animals. 



For the first day or two, only a single skin, or empty bag, 

 is put on his back, which is firmly secured with a thong- 

 eighty or ninety feet in length (those employed by the Nama- 

 quas for the same purpose are about twice as long) ; but 

 bulk as well as weight is daily added ; and though he kicks 

 and plunges violently, and sometimes with such effect as to 

 throw off his pack, the ox soon becomes more tractable. 

 Strange enough, those who show the most spirit in the begin- 

 ning are often the first subdued. But an ox that lies do\\'Ti 

 when in the act of "packing" him generally proves the most 

 troublesome. Indeed, not one in ten that does so is fit for 

 any thing. 



I have seen oxen that no punishment, however severe, 

 would induce to rise ; not even the application of fire. This 

 would seem a cruel expedient ; but when it is remembered 

 that his thus remaining immovable is entirely attributable to 

 obstinacy, and that a person's life may depend on getting 

 forward, the application of this torture admits of some excuse. 

 But even when, at last, he has been trained to carry the 

 pack or the saddle, there is another difficulty, scarcely less 

 formidable, to overcome. From the gregarious habits of the 

 ox, he is unwilling either to proceed in advance of the rest, 

 or to remain at any distance behind his comrades ; and if 

 there is no one to lead, the whole troop will instantly come 



