C6 EXrEDlTION INTO 



formed^ then emptied its contents upon us ; the rain pouring* 

 down like a sluice for five minutes^ and obliging' us to seek 

 shelter in the wagg'ons. Ceasing- as abruptly as it com- 

 menced, we passed on at once to parched and dusty land, 

 from a tract which had in an instant become covered with 

 pools of water. 



It Avas nearly dark when we reached the Molopo, a few 

 miles below its source. This river which forms the western 

 boundary of Moselekatse's territory, exhibits a broad shallow 

 bed, cohered with turf, traversed by a deep stream about ten 

 yards Avide, comjiletely overgrown with hig'h reeds. The soil 

 on both sides is black, spread with luxuriant gTass, and 

 detached clumps of acacia. We crossed, and encamped on 

 the noi'thern bank, under a solitary tree, around which was 

 a ready-made fence for the cattle. Durino- the nio-ht, the 

 obtrusive visit of a hippopotamus— of Avhich amphibious 

 animals there are abundance in the river — caused g-reat con- 

 sternation ; Richard screaming", and the Hottentots expen- 

 dino- their ball-cartrido'e as usual. 



The two following- days were spent in hunting- the eland 

 and g-emsbok.* The latter, which is doubtless the animal 

 from A\liich the delineations of the fabulous unicorn have 

 descended, is one of the most ma g-nificent antelopes in the 

 imiverse. Although common in Namaqua-land, it is rare in 

 this part of the country, and we were fortunate in finding- 

 three, one of which I succeeded in riding- down : nearl}^, 

 however, sacrificing- my best horse in the arduous achieve- 

 ment. The or^'x is about the size of an ass, and nearly of 

 the same ground colour, with a black list stripe down the 

 back and on each flank j white leg's varieg-ated with black 

 bands ; and a white face, marked with the fig-ure of a black 

 nose-band and head-stall, imparting- altog-ether to the animal 

 the appearance of being- clad in half mourning*. Its copious 



* Oryx Cupcnsis. Delineated in the Portraits of Game and "Wild Animals 

 of Southern Africa. 



