TRAINING OXEN FOR THE YOKE. 77 



about assumed the dignity of primeval nature, fresh from the 

 hand of the Creator ; and the solemn and stern night-silence 

 only hushed me into sounder sleep. These feelings and this 

 trusting repose mainly originated in the kind ministrations 

 and unaffected welcome of sincere friends. 



After a day or two's rest we began the difficult and labo- 

 rious task of breaking-in the oxen ; but it proved a much 

 more difficult one than I had anticipated. While herded to- 

 gether these animals looked tame and docile enough, but the 

 instant they felt the lasso round their legs or horns their char- 

 acter changed completely. 



The spirit of Damara cattle is fiery and wild in the ex- 

 treme, and I have known many an ox which ten strong men 

 were unable to manage. The only remedy in such a case is 

 to lasso the beast by his legs and horns, and, after having 

 thrown him down, to affix to his neck a heavy iron chain, of 

 sufiicient length to trail along the ground. The effect on the 

 animal of this incumbrance is in some instances very remark- 

 able ; for, instead of a wild, stubborn, and unbending brute, 

 in a short time he is all docility. Indeed, it not unfrequent- 

 ly happens that he becomes too lazy to be of any use. 



While at Scheppmansdorf, and whenever I could snatch a 

 moment from my busy life, I never failed to shoulder my gun 

 with a view of obtaining specimens of natural history or a 

 " re-enforcement for the larder," and an hour's walk not un- 

 frequently procured me a tolerable share of both. Ducks ana 

 geese, though somewhat shy, were by no means uncommon. 

 Quadrupeds of every description, however, were scarce, yet 

 I managed occasionally to bag a steinbok or a hare. 



Almost every morn we were visited by a splendid flock of 

 pelicans, who kept soaring above the place for hours togeth- 

 er ; now in wide, graceful circles, the next instant in a com- 

 pact body, sometimes rising into the sky till they became 

 nearly invisible, then suddenly sinking till they almost touch- 

 ed the earth ; when abruptly, as if recollecting that the land 



