132 EXPEDITION INTO 



end^) the eg'g-s were securely packed^ and placed on the 

 saddle. Althoiig'h each of these enormous eg'g's weig'hs 

 about three pounds^ and is equivalent to twenty-four of the 

 domestic foAvl's, many of our followers could devour two at 

 a sing'le meal^ first mixing- the contents^ and then broiling" 

 them in the shell. When dressed in more orthodox 

 manner^ we found them a hig-hly palatable omelette. 



Richardson shortly returned^ having* been eng-ag'ed in 

 deadly conflict with a rhinoceros. Aroused from a siesta 

 by the smarting- of a g'un-shot wound^ the infuriated animal 

 had pursued his assailant so closely that it became necessary 

 to discharg-e the second barrel into his mouthy an operation 

 in the performing- wdiich the stock was much disfig'ured by 

 the animal's horn. I employed the rest of the day in 

 repairing" my own weapon wdth the iron clamp of a box, 

 binding- it wdth a strap of g-reen hide from the carcase of an 

 eland. 



There being- no practical road across the Mariqua within 

 several miles of om* position, we were compelled, on the 

 28th, to make one by paring- down the steep banks ', and 

 even then, experienced g-reat difficulty in towing- our heavy 

 vans to the opposite side by the united streng-th of the 

 teams. The descent was almost perpendicular, requiring- 

 both wheels to be locked : the bed of the river, covered 

 with loose stones, was too confined to admit of the oxen 

 acting- in concert: — and the current, straitened by the 

 narrowness of the channel, was rapid, and rose to the floors 

 of the wao'o'ons. 



Shortly after we had crossed, a larg-e mixed herd of 

 sassaybes and qung-g-as, alarmed by the sudden appearance 

 of our cavalcade, charg-ed past me so close, that one of 

 the latter fell at my feet at each discharg-e of the rifle. 

 Several savag-es had followed us to obtain a supply of 

 dried meat and assist in hunting- ; but althoug-h they were 



