264 SUDDEN FLOODS. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Sudden Floods. — John Allen's Sufferings. — Hans and the Author en- 

 ter into Partnershij). — Young Grass injurious to Cattle. — Depart 

 from Walfisch Bay. — Attractive Sceneiy. — Troops of Lions. — Ex- 

 traordinary Proceedings of Kites. — Flight of Butterflies. — Attach- 

 ment of Animals to one another. — Ai-rival at Eichterfeldt ; at Bar- 

 men. — Hans's narrow Escape. — Self-possession. — Heavy Rains. — 

 Runaway Ox ; he tosses the Author. — Depart from Barmen. — Dif- 

 ficulty of crossing Rivers. — Encounter great numbers of Oryxes. 



We were now in the depth of the rainy season. Rain, as 

 already said, rarely falls in the neighborhood of Walfisch Bay ; 

 but the gathering of heavy clouds in the eastern horizon ev- 

 ery afternoon, and vivid flashes of lightning accompanied by 

 distant thunder, clearly indicated that the interior of the 

 country had been flooded. We had soon a proof of this in 

 the sudden appearance of the long-dormant Kuisip Eiver, 

 which, now swollen to an unusual height, overflowed its 

 banks, and threatened destruction to every thing that op- 

 posed its course. 



This overflow was equally great in the Swakop, in the 

 lower course of which our cattle were stationed under the 

 charge of John Allen. One fine morning, and without the 

 least previous notice, down came the torrent, and cut him off 

 from the greater number of the animals, which were grazing 

 on the opposite bank. He was an expert swimmer, however, 

 and, boldly plunging into the swollen stream, with difiiculty 

 and danger succeeded in crossing. But no sooner had he 

 gained the bank than the river rushed forward with tenfold 

 velocity, and effectually separated him from the camp. Two 

 days and a night elapsed before the water had sufficientl}'- 

 subsided to enable him to return. The sufferings of the poor 

 lad meanwhile must have been very trying, for he was in a 



