SOUTHERN AFRICA. 24.5 



this progTamme I rio-orously adhered, walking- the g-reater 

 part of the way to save my harassed steed, upon whose back 

 I now contemplated the probability of having- to seek my 

 way to the colony — a probability which was mightily in- 

 creased about sunset, when I found myself preparing- to 

 perfect an acquaintance with the cone, by roosting- on its 

 summit, 



"In a deep cave dug by uo mortal hand." 



During- this second day's weary pilgrimage, scorched by 

 the ardent and reflected rays of a summer sun, I arrived at 

 an extensive pond covered with water-lilies, and bordered by 

 a broad belt of flag-s and rushes. Hastily approaching- the 

 marg'in, I became suddenl}?^ eng-ulfed in a pit-fall, six feet in 

 depth, filled with mire and water, from which I extricated 

 myself with inconceivable dithculty. On recovering- my shoes 

 out of the stiff blue clay at the bottom, I perceived that the 

 whole tank was closely invested by a chain of these traps, 

 which had been carefully covered over by my friends the 

 Bushmen. Having- shot a spring'-buck, I here scorched 

 enoug-h of the flesh to satisfy the craving-s of hunger, and 

 sling-ing- a fine fat le^ on either side of the saddle, took up 

 my nig-ht's lodg'ino^ as already described, ^\'itliout having- 

 been able to discover the smallest traces of the road. 



The nio-ht was serene and starlio'ht. From the top of my 

 strong--hold I looked out upon the tranquil expanse beneath 

 me, and Hstened for hours to catch some friendly melody that 

 mig-ht direct my bewildered footsteps. Where, alas ! was the 

 " busy hum of men ?" The shrill neig-hing- of the wild ass, 

 the bleat of the timid spring--buck, or the bellow of the ^noo, 

 with the deep-drawn distant sig-hing- of a prowling- lion, oc- 

 casionally borne along upon the breeze, alone disturbed the 

 g-rave-like stillness of that wilderness ! Seriously did I uoav 

 debate Avith myself upon the propriety of making- for the 

 Colony, instead of prolong-in^ my search. It is true that 



