DAK 1X0 OF THE I-10N, G5 



" On the night of our third day's journey in 

 the country of the Balalas," writes the worthy 

 Missionary, " we halted at a pool (khoJchale), and 

 listened on the lonely plain for the sounds of an 

 inhabitant, but could discover no light, and, amid 

 the darkness, were unable to trace footsteps to the 

 water. We let loose the wearied oxen to drink and 

 graze ; but as we were iimorant of the character of 



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the company with which we might have to spend 

 the night, we took a fire-brand, and examined the 

 edges of the pool, to see, from the imprints, what 

 animals were in the habit of drinking there, and 

 with terror discovered many 'spoors ' of lions. 

 We immediately collected the oxen, and brought 

 them to the waggon, to which we fastened them 

 with the strongest thongs we had, having discovered 

 in their appearance something which indicated 

 that, either from scent or sight, they knew danger 

 was near. The two Barolongs had brought a young 

 cow with them, and though I recommended their 

 making her fast also, they very humorously replied 

 * that she was too wise to leave the waggons and 

 oxen, even though a lion should be scented.' We 

 took a little supper, which was followed by our even- 

 ing hymn and prayer. I retired only a few minutes 

 to my waggon to prepare for the night, when the 

 whole of the oxen started to their feet. A lion had 

 seized the cow in question only a few steps from 

 their tails, and dragged it to the distance of thirty 

 or forty paces, where we distinctly heard it tearing 

 the animal and breaking its bones, whilst its bellow- 

 ings were most pitiful. When these were over, 1 



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