RIDING ON OX-BACK. 71 



lot without a moment's hesitation, and thus we had overcome 

 a difficulty which had long given us some uneasiness. 



Hans had in his employ an English lad named John Al- 

 len, who had also been a sailor, and who, like his master, 

 had left his ship in Walfisch Bay. In the absence of his 

 employer, John had been accustomed to take charge of the 

 cattle and the house ; and, being an excellent and well-be- 

 haved youth, he also was admitted into Mr. Galton's service. 



After a few day's rest, it was determined that Hans and 

 myself, together with most of the people, should return to 

 Scheppmansdorf for the purpose of breaking-in the oxen, 

 and bringing up the wagons and the stores. 



Hans presented me with an ox called " Spring," which I 

 afterward rode upward of two thousand miles. On the day 

 of our departure he mounted us all on oxen, and a curious 

 sight it was to see some of the men take their seats who had 

 never before ridden on ox-back. It is impossible to guide an 

 ox as one would guide a horse, for in the attempt to do so 

 you would instantly jerk the stick out of his nose, which at 

 once deprives you of every control over the beast ; but by 

 pulling both sides of the bridle at the same time, and toward 

 the side you wish him to take, he is easily managed. Your 

 seat is not less awkward and difficult ; for the skin of the ox, 

 unlike that of the horse, is loose, and, notwithstanding your 

 saddle may be tightly girthed, you keep rocking to and fro 

 like a child in a cradle. A few days, however, enables a 

 person to acquire a certain steadiness, and long habit will do 

 the rest. 



Ox-traveling, when once a man is accustomed to it, is not 

 so disagreeable as might be expected, particularly if one suc- 

 ceeds in obtaining a tractable animal. On emergences, an ox 

 can be made to proceed at a tolerably quick pace ; for, though 

 his Avalk is only about three miles an hour at an average, he 

 may be made to perform double that distance in the same 

 time. Mr. Galton once accomplished twenty-four miles in 

 four hours, and that, too, through heavy sand ! 



