CHAPTER X. 



Hear the fate of my two Oxen. — Plan an attack to avenge them. — Make 

 an attack on two Werfts. — Catch some Culprits. — Hottentot passion 

 for onslaught. — Return to Eikhams. — Best sort of travelling Comjiass. 

 — MS. and other Almanacs. — Watches and Alarums. — Large packs 

 of Lions. — A Tale learnt from tracks. — Accidents with guns. — 

 Methods of carrying them on horseback. — ^Description of the plate. — 

 Travelling Dress. — Colours most suited for Sportsmen. — Bright Colours 

 of Skulking A nim als. — Rationale of them. — Join Hans' party. — Begin 

 to break up the Expedition. — Travel down the Swakop. — Reach 

 Walfisch Bay. — Whales, Sharks, and Ostriches. — Retrospects. — Leave 

 Africa. 



In a week the Hottentots became tired of 'Tounobis ; 

 they said that their wives were left without provisions, 

 &c., and Amiral said that he must return. I had no 

 object in staying longer, for I became tired of massa- 

 cring the animals, and it is better when on a journey 

 not to rest oxen longer than a week, unless you can 

 afford at least a month's delay, as their galled backs 

 become half healed, and they lose then- working con- 

 dition, without having time to really recruit their 

 strength. My oxen were all in a very poor way, but 

 I now cared little, as I was homeward bound. We 

 left 'Tounobis Oct. 10th, and arrived safely at Okoma- 

 vaka, with no incident except a fright from all the 

 oxen having run away the second night that we were 

 on the road. 



