IN AUSTRAL AFRICA. 303 



Well ! there go my means of again returning to 

 civilisation ; they appear to know pretty well what 

 they are about, but watch them for a few minutes 

 and, you will be certain of it. A well-known and 

 trusted member of the herd lows, the others answer, 

 and straight as a bee line, all follow the first speaker 

 to the best pastures or water, whichever they may 

 be most in need of. Again, at night, when they are 

 brought home, each stands facing the driver, and 

 submits to have the rheim placed round his horns, 

 when, without resistance, they walk to their own 

 yoke to be tied up. This docility is particularly 

 noticeable when they are in a country where large 

 carnivorous animals are numerous. In such sub- 

 missive conduct does it not appear that they are 

 aware that their safety depends upon such a course 

 of procedure ? Undoubtedly I think it does ; so, 

 take my word for it, bullocks are gifted with no small 

 amount of intelligence. The more distant, and there- 

 fore more uncivilised natives, admire the ox so much 

 that they try to resemble it, and the better to do so, 

 knock out their front teeth in the upper jaw. Now, 

 there are no keener observers of animal life, and 

 none that note their good and bad qualities so cor- 

 rectly, so if they thought the ox a fool they would 

 not wish to be like him. No, the bullock is no fool, 

 but he is obstinate, and extremely sensitive of abuse. 

 Thus, if you are always punishing him with jam- 

 bok and whip, you will soon have evidence that 

 cruelty is far from the best policy. 



