A BAD FIX. 47 



tow snapped asunder within a few feet of the dissel- 

 boom. The trek-tow being strongly knotted together, 

 a second attempt was made, when it again snapped in 

 a fresh place. We then unhooked the long drag-chains 

 from beneath the wagon, wherewith having fortified the 

 trek-tow, we made a third trial. The cunning oxen, 

 having now twice exerted themselves in vain, and being 

 well aware that the wagon was fast, according to their 

 usual custom, could not be induced to make any further 

 effort, notwithstanding the wagon-drivers had inflicted 

 upon them about half an hour's terrific flogging, till the 

 sides of half of them were running down with gore. In 

 cases of this sort, the oxen, instead of taking properly 

 to their Avork, spring about in the yoke, and turn their 

 tails round where their heads should be, invariably 

 snapping the straps and yoke-skeys, and frequently 

 splitting the yokes. In the present instance my gear 

 did not escape ; for, after battling with the oxen till the 

 sun went down, and smashing the half of my rheiras, 

 straps, and skeys, and splitting one of my yokes, we 

 were obliged to drop it for the night. We cast loose 

 the oxen, and, driving them up the hill-side, granted 

 them their liberty until morning ; and leaving our bro- 

 ken gear, pickaxes, spades, and other utensils scattered 

 about the ground in grand confusion, tired and worn 

 out we kindled a fire, and set about cooking our dinner. 

 Leonard and his servants declared that they had not 

 tasted any thing but a little biscuit and coffee during 

 the last three days, the Dutchmen along their road 

 being very unfriendly and inhospitable to the English 

 transport-riders. 



Next morning we awoke refreshed by sound slum- 

 bers ; and having dispatched all the Hottentots, except- 

 ing one man, in quest cf the oxen, Leonard and I wero 



