122 PERILOUS SITUATION. 



carrying it, which considerably increased the burden 

 of our jaded horses, the antelope itself being about 

 the weight of a good-sized sheep. It had now be- 

 come dusk, and as we passed through some gloomy 

 recesses, the apprehension that there might literally 

 be " & lion in our path," made our ride by no means 

 agreeable ; but at length we had the satisfaction of 

 observing the waggon awaiting our arrival. 



Owing to the darkness of the night, the Hottentot 

 leader of our oxen mistook his track, without dis- 

 covering his error until we suddenly reached the brink 

 of a steep declivity, which the waggon began rapidly 

 to descend, driving the oxen with such violence be- 

 fore it, that had we not succeeded in stopping them 

 by a sudden turn, a few yards more would have pre- 

 cipitated our vehicle into a frightful chasm, where 

 inevitable destruction must have awaited us. Con- 

 sidering it more prudent to remain stationary till 

 morning than attempt to return, we unyoked the 

 team, collected what dry wood could be found among 

 the bushes, and kindled a fire, which partially dis- 

 closed the wild features of the scene around us. On 

 one side a mountain reared its bleak and craggy 

 crest, whilst an open country seemed to extend far 

 beyond the black abyss that yawned beneath us. 



We had scarcely settled our encampment for the 

 night, when the storm, which had been for some time 

 gathering, after the close of a sultry noon, burst 

 furiously over our heads. Loud peals of thunder 



