THE MAOALAOA'8 TREASURE. 251 



food of carnivorous brutes, do not die a death of pro- 

 tracted pain, but breathe out their life in a fortunate 

 state of unconsciousness of pain. 



It is also a well-known fact, and I have seen many 

 instances of it, that the wound produced by a lion's tooth 

 breaks out and discharges periodically for several years 

 to come after the injury has been done. This probably 

 is caused either by the saliva, or corrupt animal matter 

 adhering to the tusk inoculating the sore. But to my 

 narrative. 



About half an hour before sunset it commenced to rain, 

 and the wind fell almost to a dead calm. At the time I was 

 accompanied by the young trader previously mentioned, 

 whose wagon followed mine about one hundred yards in 

 rear ; behind it was all our loose stock horses, spare oxen, 

 and two or three cows ; these were followed by several 

 blacks, specially among whom was a man of mine, a 

 Macalaca, who was returning to his far-distant home 

 from the Diamond-fields, where he had been to work 

 in order to obtain the much-coveted musket, great coat, 

 and blanket. The care he took of the first-mentioned 

 showed with what affection he regarded his treasure 

 and never for a moment did he permit his loved weapon 

 to be out of his sight, I may almost say out of his 

 hands. It mattered not how warm it was, or how 

 much he suffered from want of water, or what scampering 

 he had to do over the velt to keep the oxen and horses 

 together, his musket was in his hands, although he 

 might have placed it in my wagon, where it would have 

 been perfectly safe. 



Among the loose cattle was a magnificent after-ox 

 belonging to my comrade, a splendid beast, very fat, 

 and as docile as an old milk-cow. It was beautifully 



