102 HN-OXED TKOOP OF ZEBKAS. 



One or two natives were also engaged to drive and to assist 

 in packing the oxen. 



As usual, I rode " Spring," and Mr. Schoneberg an ox 

 lent to him by Mr. Rath ; but, unfortunately, the latter ani- 

 mal turned very vicious, and before we had proceeded many 

 hundred yards I saw my friend pitched head foremost into 

 the moist bed of the Swakop. On rising from his uncom- 

 fortable berth, the reverend gentleman looked very blank 

 and crestfallen, and nothing could again induce him to re- 

 mount the brute. Being, however, anxious to prosecute the 

 journey, I made him an offer of my own ox, which was grate- 

 fully accej3ted. 



After this little mishap, all went on well for a while. 

 Unfortunately, however, in an-unguarded moment, I too was 

 doomed to be " un-oxed," to the great delight and amuse- 

 ment of my companion. Confiding in his superior skill in 

 managing a refractory ox, our guide now generously ex- 

 changed with me. Notwithstanding his boasting, he was as 

 unfortunate as ourselves, for in the course of half an hour 

 he had twice bitten the dust. Nothing daunted, however, 

 he mounted a third time, and ultimately succeeded in con- 

 vincing the animal that he was determined to be master. 



In the course of the day we suddenly came upon a troop 

 of zebras. Quickly dismounting, I took a running shot at 

 them as they were disappearing in the brushwood, and had 

 the good fortune to bring a fine male dead to the ground. 

 Immediately " off-saddling," we helped ourselves to the best 

 parts of the meat, leaving the rest to one of our Damaras, 

 who thought a " tuck-out" of flesh — as Hans would have 

 called it — preferable to a wearisome journey to Barmen. 



The flesh of the zebra, or " wild horse," as the Dutch call 

 it, is eatable, but by no means good ; for, besides possessing 

 a very strong odor and peculiar flavor, it has a very oily 

 taste. With plenty of pepper and salt, however, a steak is 

 not to be despised by the hungry traveler. 



