SOUTHERN AFRICA. 127 



of the refreshing' sward, across which troops of querulous 

 pintadoes and herds of g'raceful pallahs* were to be seen 

 hurrying" from our approach. 



As we threaded the mazes of the parasol-topped acacias, 

 which completely excluded the sun's rays, a peep of the 

 river itself was unexpectedly obtained. A deep and shaded 

 channel, about twenty j^ards in breadth, with precipitous 

 banks overg-rown with reeds, was lined with an unbroken 

 tier of willows. These extended their drooping* branches 

 so as nearly to entwine, had they not been forbidden by 

 the force of the crystal current, which swayed them with 

 it as it foamed and bubbled over the pebbly bottom. A 

 plain on the opposite side, bounded by a low rang'e of 

 blue hills, Avas dotted over with mokaala trees, beneath 

 which troops of g*noos, sassaybes, and hartebeests, were 

 reposing', imparted to the s^'lvan scene quite a pastoral 

 effect. 



We drew up the wag'g'ons on a verdant spot on the 

 river bank, at a convenient distance from an extensive 

 kraal constructed on the slope. Althoug-h the sun shone, 

 the cold occasioned by a dry cutting' wind was scarcely to 

 be endured, even with the assistance of a g-reat coat ; and 

 the inhabitants being- clamorous for food, I readily placed 

 myself under the guidance of their chief with ten of his 

 men, and diving' into the heart of the extensive gTOves, 

 soon furnished them with the carcase of a black rhinoceros 

 upon which to whet their appetites. This hug'e beast 

 crossed the river twuce after being' mortally wounded at 

 duelling* distance ; and I was compelled, cold as it was, 

 to wade after him through water reaching* to my middle — 

 following' his trail by the blood, until from single drops, 

 the traces became splashes of frothy crimson. Struggling* 



* Antilope Melampus. Delineated in the Portraits of Game and Wild 

 Animals of Southern Africa. 



