CHAP, m] ATTACKS OF DISTEMPER. 77 



were so very fresh and vicious. It must be recollected 

 that Damara cattle are far wilder animals than those 

 we see in England, and infinitely more difficult to 

 break in. There is a game-like and thorough-bred 

 look about them. Many of them will face and charge 

 a Uon, as a buffalo would. My ride ox, Frieschland, 

 who had once been badly scratched and bitten, became 

 furious if he heard a lion's cry near him. Hans 

 suggested driving them down to the Bay, and then, 

 when a little tired by the joiu'ney, and accustomed 

 to ha'idng a number of white men about them, they 

 would be more submissive ; I decided on trying this 

 plan, and an early day was fixed for the start. 



In the meantime we had ceased to stare at the 

 strangeness of our new friends, the Damaras. Numbers 

 came to my kraal every day, to look in at us in a 

 friendly manner, and to see if there was anything for 

 them to pilfer. Timboo began to make liimself intel- 

 ligible to them, and was quite delighted at each word 

 or phrase that he found to be the same as in his own 

 language. 



The mules and horses were just recovering their 

 condition, when that fatal scourge, the distemper, broke 

 out amongst them. Fu-st one fine mule was found 

 to be ill, and to stand with difficulty; a little froth 

 gathered about his nose and mouth ; in an horn- he 

 was l}ing on the ground, and in another hour dead. 

 I was distressed beyond measure, as I knew the disease 

 would not rest with him ; neither did it, — two more 

 mules were infected, and died also ; but my last horse 

 still was in good health. He gave me one good gallop 



