268 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXX. 



easil}' disposed of that the whole herd might have 

 been slaughtered. Their flesh being so greatty 

 superior to that of any other animal, was always 

 eagerly sought after ; and on this occasion, we killed 

 a sufficient number to afford a stock of tongues and 

 briskets for salting, in case the country in advance, 

 of which every one w-as equally ignorant, should 

 not afford a supply of game. Leaving the carcases 

 a banquet for the vultures, w^e placed these delica- 

 cies on our meagre steeds, and rejoined the cafila in 

 the afternoon. Weary and exhausted for want of 

 water, we were not a little rejoiced on our arrival to 

 find it drawn up on the banks of the beautiful 

 Chonapas, a deep gurgling stream tenanted by 

 hippopotami, and meandering amid clusters of 

 sighing reeds. Some of our people were busily en- 

 gaged in the manufacture of a buffalo hide drag-rope 

 for the approaching journey, and others had gone 

 in search of fire-wood. Not a dry twig was to be 

 obtained, however, in the whole country, audit was 

 found necessary to break up one of our boxes in order 

 to boil the water and dress some fish that had been 

 taken. The savages had always evhiced the strongest • 

 antipathy to the finny tribe, flying in dismay if one 

 were suddenly exhibited ; and Andries here attempt- 

 ing some ill-timed practical joke of the kind upon 

 Maphook, the savage sprang tiger-like upon his back, 

 and throwing him to the ground, handled him so 

 roughly, that our crest-fallen hero, whose short thick 

 figure and bull neck betokened incalculable strength, 

 was nevertheless fain to sue for quarter. 



