Chap. XXXI.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 275 



out the night, the early half of which was illumined 

 by a brilliant moon. 



We commenced another forced march before day- 

 light on the 19th, still taking the course of the 

 Chonapas for our guide. Several long strings of 

 wild buffaloes passed ahead of us on their way up 

 from the river, and a lion, with tail erect, was ob- 

 served in full career after a troop of scouring gnoos. 

 The (^pricious distribution of animal forms is no 

 where more remarkable than in Africa, and to solve 

 the mysterious causes by which it is influenced, has 

 long been reckoned among the most puzzling prob- 

 lems in the great scheme of the creation. As if by 

 magic, the brindled gnoo had suddenly given place 

 during the last three days, to the common, or white- 

 tailed species, and not another specimen occurred 

 during the remainder of our journey. Whilst hunt- 

 ing the wilde beest,* as the latter species is termed 

 by the Cape Colonists, the abstraction already re- 

 corded of my shoes by his Amazooloo Majesty, had 

 nearly been the cause of a serious disaster. In order 

 to avoid the disagreeable alternative of walking 

 barefooted, I had been compelled to adopt a pair 

 rudely manufactured of untanned hide ; and the 

 sole becoming entangled in the stirrup, while, with 

 both hands encumbered, I was in the act of jumping 

 off to administer the coup de grace, I fell on my 

 back ; and the wounded animal bellowing and 

 struggling at the same instant, my horse started off, 

 and before I could extricate myself, had kicked me 

 * Angiice, Wild Ox. 



