Chap. XXV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 217 



habits of the fleeter rendering them easy of approach 

 on horseback^ almost every animal, from the mighty 

 elephant to the most diminutive antelope, must be 

 pursued in the saddle. Not only, however, does 

 the success of a hunting party mainly depend upon 

 the number and condition of the horses — which are 

 almost daily required also for the recovery of stray- 

 ing cattle, and, owing to some peculiarity in the 

 Hottentot conformation, which ill adapts him for 

 equestrian excellence, are invariably brought home 

 with galled backs — but its safety, in event of an 

 attack from the savage tribes, is equally involved. 

 We could, therefore, have found ample employment 

 for forty, instead of sixteen, half-starved, shoeless 

 Rozinantes, with nothing but grass to eat, and not 

 so much even as a cloth to protect them from the 

 cold and wet during a succession of inclement nights. 

 But whilst none of our many trading advisers, who 

 had doubtless experienced the difficulty of destroying 

 on foot sufficient game for the subsistence of their 

 followers, had suggested our going better provided, 

 they had unfortunately succeeded in chssuading us 

 from carrying a supply of shoes or grain, the absence 

 of both of which essentials we never ceased to de- 

 plore. The anxiety may be estimated with which 

 we watched the now daily improving condition of 

 our meagre steeds, and assiduously endeavoured to 

 free them from the clusters of bursting ticks, which, 

 having been contracted amongst the bushes, threat- 

 ened to relieve them of the little blood they pos- 

 sessed. A sturdy stallrfed Arab would have now 



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