80 NATIVE HUNTING. [chap. in. 



among the Hottentots here is from eight to ten oxen, 

 but they were hardly ever sold, as a horse is invaluable 

 for marauding purposes. Cattle cannot be swept off 

 by a few men without their aid, for as soon as the 

 attack is made, the oxen run off in aU directions, and 

 it is quite out of the power of a man on foot to over- 

 take and turn them, but they are quite at the mercy of 

 a few horsemen. 



There were large herds of zebras about, that came 

 down nearly every afternoon to drink, but I soon gave 

 over trying to shoot them. It here required a very 

 long stalk, as the broad open river-bed had first to be 

 crossed ; and there were four or five hangers-on about 

 the place with theii' guns, who would run down and 

 have their shots; besides these, there were savages 

 with their bows and arrows. Often, after an hour's 

 hard and careful manoeuvring, the game was seen to 

 be startled, and a ball from a zealous sportsman was 

 whizzing at them from some ridiculous distance. 

 The captain of the werft made good and steady bags 

 of game with his bow and arrows, getting a zebra 

 about every other day ; but then he had to slave at it, 

 and often follow the wounded animal's spoor for great 

 distances. The lions also killed several, and they 

 supplied the natives pretty well. The Damaras were 

 always on the look-out, and, guided by the vultures, 

 appropriated in the morning whatever beasts the lions 

 had left half eaten. 



I employed myself in breaking-in my remaining 

 mules to carry packs and saddles ; they were too few 

 now to draw my cart, but use might be made of 



