242 NARROW ESCAPE VISITORS A " SELL." 



the Hill-Damaras had mixed the juice of the euphorbia can- 

 delabrum with the stagnant pool-water for the purpose of 

 killing buffaloes, which were numerous hereabout. Fortu- 

 nately, by having gone in advance of our party, in the hope 

 of obtaining a shot at these animals, I discovered the poison- 

 ed water (easily detected by its peculiar clay color) in time 

 to prevent any serious mischief. Some of the dogs partook 

 of it, but, having previously taken their fill of clear, pure wa- 

 ter, they escaped with a heavy vomiting. At this identical 

 place Hans had a short time previously found several dead 

 and dying buffaloes that had been poisoned. 



The symptoms with men, after imbibing the poison in 

 question — not the least of the many dangers to which the 

 African traveler is almost daily exposed — are generally a full- 

 ness of the system, quick pulsation, giddiness, and a violent 

 "flesh-quake." 



Though our cattle suffered dreadfully from want of pastur- 

 age, we reached WalfiscliBay on the 5 th of December with- 

 out the loss of a single ox. 



The missionary vessel had not yet arrived, but there were 

 two others, a brig and a bark. The master of the first was 

 an Englishman, in search of guano, as also of nitrate of soda, 

 which was reported to exist on this coast. He imagined that 

 he had really found the latter valuable salt, and whispered 

 his discovery to us as a great secret. On examining the spec- 

 imens in his possession, however, it was found to be noth- 

 ing more nor less than pieces of common soap I part, prob- 

 ably, of the cargo of some wrecked vessel. The action of the 

 water had so altered the soap in appearance that the mistake 

 was really excusable. On learning from us the real nature 

 of his supposed prize, the poor captain, as may be imagined, 

 evinced no little chagrin and disappointment. 



The second ship was an American, in search of the sperm 

 whale, which is not unfrequently found in these waters. Our 

 shabby and tattered garments and unshaved faces induced 



