170 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



We trek down the Limpopo — Abundance of Sea-cows — The Lotsfino 

 River — An immense Herd of Elephants — Combat with a first-rate old 

 Bull — Rheumatic Fever attacks nie, which determines our Course 

 homeward — Elephants smashing Forest-trees — A Lion carries off one 

 of my Men from the Fireside — The Beast occujyied consuming him 

 all Night — The man-eating Lion slain — Three Hippopotami shot — 

 One of the Dogs eaten by a Crocodile — The fatal " Tsetse" Fly — The 

 Fountain of Seboono— An old Bull Elephant held in Check without 

 Gun or Dogs. 



I RESOLVED now to ccase for a time hunting sea-cows, 

 and to trek ahead in good earnest. I accordingly took 

 considerable trouble in stowing the wagons properly 

 We then trekked down the river until sundown. 1 

 rode ahead of the wagons to explore, and was struck 

 with astonishment at the number of the hippopotami. 

 They seemed to increase the further I trekked down 

 the river ; every pool had its herd ; they were extremely 

 fearless, allowing me to approach within fifteen yards 

 of them. In the morning I found myself minus my 

 hired natives : these ruffians, fearing to receive a chas- 

 tisement similar to that of the chief of the Bakalahari, 

 which they felt they deserved, thought it best to get 

 out of the way in time, and had cut the service. The 

 chief Matsaca brought me ivory, which I obtained in 

 barter for muskets and some ammunition. 



On the 8th we trekked at dawn of day, and after 

 proceeding a few miles came upon the Lotsane, one of 

 those gravelly-bedded rivers, with only water in occa- 

 sional spots, such as are met with in the Bamanajwato 

 country. Here was much spoor of elephant ; mid ihc 



