176 MALLO MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. 



my life a week in the " happy hunting-grounds" of which 

 the Indians dream. 



But one accident occurred to mar the pleasures of this 

 period. One night, an ox was seized by a lioness, and in 

 the confusion of attempting her rescue, Mallo, the Hot- 

 tentot, received a terrible claw upon the left arm, laying 

 it open to the bone. Although wounded by Mr. Barrill, 

 ' he ferocious animal escaped ; the ox was disabled so far 

 Jiat we deemed it a mercy to shoot it through the head. 

 A.t length, the last day of our stay in this beautiful 

 aunting- region arrived. We found that our wagons were 

 well-stowed with all the trophies of the chase in South 

 Africa, and we had meat enough cut up and preserved to 

 last for many days. During this last day of our encamp- 

 ment, Mr. Barrill occupied himself in sketching the gor- 

 geous scenery around us. He had a ready pencil, and his 

 productions were delightful transcripts of glorious nature. 

 I superintended the arrangements for the return journey. 

 Although noble animals frequently came within range of 

 our "rifles, we let them browse and drink in security. 



At dawn, the next morning, the loud crack of the whips 

 resounded through the forest, and the wagons started. 

 We merely remained to carve our names in large letters 

 upon a stately mimosa, and then, with a sigh which neither 

 of us had power to restrain, we turned our horse's heads 

 from this land of beauty, and took up the trail to return* 



