ANOTHER BOER INTERFERENCE. 235 



troubled with lions. Last spring he lost no less than 

 eight head of bullocks and cows by their inroads. 



Trecked at break of day, and in the afternoon arrived 

 at Liewfontein (Lion Fountain). The outspanning-place 

 was admirably situated, with water coming to the road. 

 In the neighbourhood were several Boer houses, 

 orchards, and large mealy gardens, while poplar and 

 blue gum-trees margined a pond, a large one, formed by 

 a dam made by the track. The oxen were very thirsty 

 when taken out of the yoke, so I ordered them to be 

 driven to water at once, and went into my wagon for 

 a snooze. 



I had not reposed over a few minutes, when Umganey 

 rushed to me much excited. " That Boer man shoot ox! " 

 he said, and disappeared in an instant. 



In a moment I pulled on my boots and sprang from 

 the wagon. Four Boers formed a cordon along the road, 

 refused to let my cattle drink, and even, thirsty and 

 parched as the poor creatures were, had forced them out 

 on the velt. These men were all armed with rifles, 

 and by their manner denoted their hostility. I in 

 consequence took down my Martini -Henry, shoved a 

 dozen cartridges into my trouser pocket, summoned the 

 driver to attend me, and ordered the cattle to follow 

 me to the water. 



The wielder of the whip was in a terrible funk, and 

 would have bolted if he could, but I gave him definitely 

 to understand that he would do so at his risk, for his 

 services I required as interpreter. Umganey in the 

 meantime had got the bullocks together and close up 

 to my heels, and thus I advanced upon the enemy, 

 who closed together to bar my passage. When within 

 fifty yards of the foe I made the driver explain that 



