236 EXPEDITION INTO 



After we had advanced twenty-five miles^ a long* line of 

 karree trees darkening- the horizon proclaimed our approach 

 to some hidden stream ; and late in the afternoon, to our 

 surprise, we struck upon a sudden bend of the Vaal River, 

 which here winds abruptly between willowed banks, round 

 a narrow peninsula, the neck of which is not more than six 

 hundred yards across. The cavalcade was in the act of 

 drawing* up near some deserted Bushman wig'wams, when 

 three lionesses leaped out of a bush immediately on our 

 flank, and Piet, who declared that he could discern the 

 head of a fourth, having* cracked his long* whip, forth there 

 stalked also a venerable lion, evidently subdued and en- 

 feebled by years. A bullet discharg*ed at him from the 

 wag;g'on-box, having* penetrated the patriarch's shoulder, he 

 thrust his hoary head into a bush and was g-athered unto 

 his fathers. It was not, however, until Kichardson, with 

 a party on horseback, had tested his demise by repeated 

 volleys, that his remains were drag*g*ed out for inspection. 



My knee was still so painful from the effect of the kick 

 I had received, that I was unable to mount a horse. The 

 task of providing* food for the followers had therefore devol- 

 ved principally upon my fellow voyageur. Elands were 

 still abundant, and as a dernier resort, we had upwards 

 of twenty sheep left, notwithstanding* the sad ravag'es com- 

 mitted on our herd by wild beasts. The hardiness evinced 

 by our little flock became daily more the theme of admira- 

 tion, an instance of foot soreness rarely occurring* during* 

 the longest march. When it did, the cripple either rode 

 in the omnibus, or was placed at the disposal of the fire- 

 worshipper, at whose hands it had little mercy to expect. 

 The prevailing* scarcity of fuel in this part of the country, 

 induced us to take in a g*ood supply before ag-ain leaving* 

 the river ; and in order to make room for it, and relieve 

 the oxen as much as possible, nearly all their necks having* 



