136 THE OX TRIBE. 



through. By this hooked stick they break him to obedi- 

 ence and good behaviour ; for if he refuses to be governed, 

 or to carry the burdens they lay upon him, they fix his 

 nose by this hooked stick to the ground, and there hold 

 it till he comes to a better temper. 



" It is an exquisite torture to an Ox to be fastened to 

 the ground by the nose in this manner. He is not, 

 therefore, long exercised this way, before he gets a notion 

 of his duty, and becomes tractable. After which, the 

 very sight alone of the stick, when he is wanton or re- 

 fractory, will humble and reduce him to the will of his 

 driver. The terror of this stick, likewise makes the 

 carriage oxen so attentive to the words of command the 

 Hottentots use to them, that they quickly conceive and, 

 ever while they live, afterwards retain the intention of 

 them. I have a thousand times been surprised at the 

 ready obedience the carriage oxen have paid to a 

 Hottentot's bare words. They are as quick at appre- 

 hending, and as exact in performing the orders of their 

 driver, as is any taught dog in Europe at conceiving 

 and accomplishing the orders of his master. The stick 

 the terrible stick makes them all attention and 

 diligence. 



