190 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



desire, for with experience I am becoming fastidious ; 

 still they are very much better than formerly : this may 

 partially be attributed to Jacob's driving, for he is, 

 without doubt, the best wagoner I have yet had in 

 my employment, and spares the whip although he does 

 not spoil the children. As he walks along by the 

 cattle's side, or sits upon the box, he keeps up a con- 

 stant conversation with them after this way : " Swart- 

 land, leave that grass alone ; I will take your bell away 

 and put you in a centre yoke. Ah ha ! Buffle, what 

 are you after ! " and crack goes the whip. " Poonah, 

 naughty boy ! come, step out ; yes, that's the way, 

 Gilbert ; Master Ackerman, you want to get the wagon 

 in that hole! where's my jambock?" and so we pro- 

 gress, slowly truly, but pleasantly enough. 



While Morris was with me I had paid comparatively 

 little attention to the oxen ; in truth I had no liking 

 for them ; but now that I am alone and without 

 companionship, I have busied myself among them, 

 always seeing them unyoked and put into harness, if 

 such an expression can be used, and intimate association 

 has really taught me to love them. At first, if I went 

 about their heels, I was certain to be kicked ; now they 

 do not trouble themselves to molest me. Buffle and 

 Swartland, my leaders, are two most intelligent beasts 

 of pure Zulu lineage, possessed of beautiful limbs, 

 small prick ears, smooth coats, and large, clear, ex- 

 pressive eyes. A piece of rusk, or a handful of mealies, 

 does not cost much, so I often have one or other 

 in my pocket for the well-behaved. The consequence 

 is that if I walk in front of the team when trecking 

 and we are now nearly able to dispense with the 

 foreloper they will quicken their pace to keep up 



