50 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



rival. No wonder was it that we were astonished 

 and rushed forward into the crowd to learn an ex- 

 planation. This we had not long to seek. An 

 immense spotted hysena — a most formidable brute, 

 and almost as big as a donkey — attracted by the smell 

 of cooking meat, had succeeded in penetrating the 

 enclosure, but, in his hurry to escape after detection, 

 evidently forgot the place of entrance, so got 

 mobbed, and ultimately killed with numerous spear 

 thrusts. This species, not to be confused with the 

 striped, is much hated and dreaded by the natives, 

 for it frequently carries off women and children, and 

 has often been known to attack wounded or even 

 footsore men. 



