A VIOLENT TEMPEST. 235 



most appalling, and burst and flashed above and around 

 us, threatening our momentary destruction. The wind 

 blew one side of my sail over the roof of the tent, the 

 sail's fastenings having been insecure, leaving myself 

 and my property exposed to the pelting rain, which in 

 a few seconds had deluged bedding, blankets, pillows, 

 rifles, sacks, tiger-skins, karosses, stuffed heads, &c., &c. 

 I, however, quickly piped all hands to bend on another 

 sail which I fortunately had in my wagon, and when 

 this was accomplished my castle was once more water- 

 proof. The violence of the wind had set my oxen at 

 liberty, and when the tempest had passed away they 

 were found to have passed away with it, which it may 

 be supposed left me in no very placid temper, this being 

 exactly the sort of night on which the stealthy, prowl- 

 ing tyrant of the wilderness is ever found to be most 

 active in his murderous pursuits; and, as if to add to 

 my anxiety on the subject, lions immediately com- 

 menced roaring on every side, especially to leeward, 

 being the course which cattle invariably take before a 

 storm. 



When day dawned men were dispatched on the spoor 

 of the oxen. I was busy all the forenoon drying my 

 saturated property. The sun was high, and yet no 

 tidings of my cattle. I began to be extremely anxious. 

 About mid-day some of the Bakatla Bechuanas brought 

 me one ox ; it was " Youngman," the last of the Mohi- 

 cans. On beholding him a pang of sorrow shot through 

 my heart. He brought my melancholy losses all fresh 

 as at a single glance before me ; his appearance was 

 worn and emaciated, and it was evident that soon the 

 vulture and hysena would leave his whitening bones to 

 bleach upon the glowing plain. 



Who, then, was "Youngman," that he could call up 



