DISPATCH CATTLE TO THE CAPE. 351 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Dispatch Cattle to the Cape. — Terrible Thunder-storm. — Trees struck 

 by Lightning. — The Nosop River. — A Comet. — The Author nearly 

 poisoned. — Some of the Men abscond ; they return to their Duty. — 

 Babel-like confusion of Tongues. — Game abundant. — Author shoots 

 a Giraffe. — Meet Bushmen, — Unsuccessful Elephant-hunt.-:— Suffer- 

 ings from Hunger. — Tunobis. — Game scarce. — Author and Steed 

 entrapped. — Pitfalls. — The Men turn sulky. — Preparations for de- 

 parture from Tunobis. — Vicious Pack-oxen. — Consequences of ex- 

 cessive Fatigue. — The Jackal's handiwork. — Tracks of Elephants. 

 — ]\Iore Pitfalls. — Loss of the Anglo-Saxon Lion and the Swedish 

 Cross. — Reach Ghanze. 



On the 1st of April I dispatched my cattle (three hundred 

 and sixty in number) to the Cape, in charge of old Piet and 

 Thomas Gibbons, "William, and two or three Damaras. The 

 first-mentioned was well accustomed to a large drove of oxen, 

 and was the only one of the party in whom I had any con- 

 fidence. Under such circumstances, it was perhaps natural 

 that I should feel some misgivings about their safe arrival. 

 But I placed my trust in that same Providence who had 

 hitherto watched over the lonely stranger, firm in the con- 

 viction that whatever befell me or my property (both of 

 which I was about to risk in the cause of humanity and 

 civilization) would be for the best. 



Fearing from experience that wagons would be only an 

 incumbrance, and impede the dispatch, if not defeat the 

 success of my expedition to the Ngami, I parted with them. 

 As I knew, however, that the road as far as Tunobis was 

 practicable for wheel carriages, I borrowed an old battered 

 vehicle for the occasion, intending to send it back with Eye- 

 brecht. Thence I purposed pursuing the journey with pack- 

 and-ride oxen. This, though the most eligible plan, subjects 



