218 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



recovering all but one ; but every endeavor to reclaim the 

 oxen and sheep proving abortive, we retired again to rest, 

 having first ascertained, by the light of a candle, that the 

 consternation had been occasioned by three lions that had 

 entered the fold and slain two of the sheep. 



"At daybreak both Hottentots and savages were dis- 

 patched on the tracks of the fugitives. Some of the savages 

 shortly returned with the sheep, several more having, how- 

 ever, been devoured by lions ; but the former did not make 

 their appearance till noon, when they informed us that the 

 oxen had divided into two parties, and being dreadfully 

 alarmed, would not stop in all probability until they should 

 reach the Kuruman ; adding, that if we wished to recover 

 them, each Hottentot must be provided with a horse and a 

 supply of ammunition. Knowing from sad experience the 

 fate that awaited our steeds, upon whose well-being our sport 

 entirely depended, we resisted the application ; upon which 

 all but Claas and Elthaldur begged to throw up their com- 

 missions. No one had any complaint to allege except April, 

 who objected to the fatness of the mutton, and Andries, who 

 felt aggrieved by a threat of retribution extended at Chooi. 

 The latter looked particularly black, and it was not until 

 after he had been dispatched with Cobus on horseback in 

 quest of the oxen, that we discovered him to have been the 

 instigator of a plot, which had been joined by all, to desert 

 us in the wilderness, and to return to the Colony with the 

 horses and whatever else they could lay their hands upon. 



" Apprehensive of another attack from lions, we moved in 

 the afternoon to the opposite side of the river, drawing up 

 the wagons on the top of a hillock, in such a manner as to 

 flank the cattle inclosure an arrangement which we ever 

 afterwards observed. Our friends the Batlapi returned about 

 sunset with the oxen, which they had found twelve miles 

 off, a piece of service for which, according to agreement, 

 they were rewarded with a yard of tobacco and a tinder-box. 



