198 BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE. 



graceful harmonizing of the richest vegetation, ex- 

 cited our intense admiration, while the beauty of 

 the scene was heightened by the rays of the setting 

 sun, which cast a subdued light over the craggy 

 mountains, leaving the hollows of the valley in par- 

 tial obscurity. While passing a thick clump of 

 evergreens near the summit of the mountain, our 

 oxen suddenly sprang out of the path, breaking 

 away from their yokes, and leaving us quite at a loss 

 to account for their alarm, until we caught sight of an 

 immense hysena, which had issued from amidst the 

 bushes, and was stalking deliberately along in the 

 same direction as ourselves. Stopping the waggon, 

 we began to prepare our guns, when the animal 

 stood still, as if meditating an attack upon our team. 

 The tawny colour of its rough and shaggy mane, 

 the glare of its eyes through the dusky twilight, 

 together with its apparent boldness, led us at one 

 time to imagine it was a lion. This surmise, how- 

 ever, was but momentary ; for upon one of the dogs 

 rushing forward, it immediately took to flight, the 

 dog continuing to follow close at its heels, until both 

 were soon out of. sight. We felt some apprehension 

 lest the hyeena should turn upon the dog, which we 

 consequently endeavoured to recall, but our fears 

 were soon dissipated by seeing it return without 

 injury. 



Seeking a sheltered spot on the summit of the 

 mountain under cover of the brushwood, we pitched 



