40 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



now adopt the most approved method usually practiced 

 in such cases. They accordingly drive out a small 

 troop of tamer oxen, with which they proceed in quest 

 of the truant. This troop they cunningly induce Mr. 

 Blauberg to join, and eventually return with him to 

 the wagon, the driver, with pouting lips and the sweat 

 running down his brow, pouring forth a torrent of threat- 

 ened vengeance against the offending Blauberg. The 

 inspanning is then once more commenced as before ; 

 and Blauberg, being this time cautiously placed in a 

 central position, well wedged up by the other oxen, 

 whereby he is prevented from turning about, is lassoed 

 with the strongest rheim, and firmly secured to the 

 steady old ox who has purposely been driven up beside 

 him. The twelve oxen are soon all secureljr yoked in 

 their proper places; the leader has made up his " fore- 

 tow," which is a long spare rheim attached round the 

 horns of each of the fore or front oxen, by which he leads 

 the team, and inspanning is reported to be accomplished. 

 I omitted to mention that the two fore-oxen, and the 

 two after-oxen, which are yoked one on either sid^. of 

 the " dissel-boom" or pole, are always supposed to be 

 the steadiest, most intelligent, and tractable in the 

 team. The two fore-oxen in particular, to be right 

 good ones, require a combination of excellences, as it 

 is indispensable for the safety of the wagon that they 

 thoroughly understand their duty. They are expect- 

 ed, unguided by reins, to hold the rarely-trodden roads 

 which occur throughout the remoter parts of the colony 

 either by day or night; and so well trained are these 

 sagacious animals, that it is not uncommon to meet 

 with a pair of fore-oxen which will, of their own accord, 

 hold the " spoor" or trade of a single wagon wliiph has 

 perhaps crossed a plain six months previously. 



