Dec] 



SAIL FROM WALWICH BAY. 



303 



form the only instances or symptoms of vegetable life throughout the 

 whole dreary waste. This is indeed a retirement fit for the diffident, 

 unobtrusive sensitive-plant. 



The natives of this part of the country are not like those to the 

 south of this place, nor those to the north of the fourteenth degree of 

 south latitude, who employ the principal part of their time in hunt- 

 ing the elephant, the antelope, and other peaceful animals, from the 

 spoils of which they enrich themselves. But these natives never 

 molest the ele.phant, nor any other animal, except for the purpose 

 of providing themselves with necessary food and clothing. The con- 

 sequence is, that, hunted from their native forests, at the north and 

 south, the persecuted animals retreat to this unfrequented region for 

 protection, and here they live in security, rapidly increasing in num- 

 bers. The quiet and peaceable elephant is here the monarch of the 

 forest, and his race has become very numerous in the interior. From 

 my Hottentot guides I learned that they roam in vast herds through 

 the densely-wooded tracts of the country, disputing the right of 

 sovereignty even with the African lion. Matchless in size and strength, 

 yet tranquil, peaceful, and majestic, they march in herds or troops, 

 headed by the most ancient of their number, who acts as king, chief, 

 or leader, to the party. They lead a social, almost a moral life ; mo- 

 lesting neither man nor beast, unless first assailed by them. 



Droves of elephants have frequently passed within one hundred 

 yards of our party, without deigning to notice us with any more atten- 

 tion than we should in passing so many ants on the road. In all 

 collisions with these sagacious animals, man is always the first 

 aggressor, to which act he is incited by cupidity alone. Their 

 ivory tusks form the most valuable article of trade that Africa can 

 boast, gold dust excepted. It is generally supposed, from the pro- 

 digious strength of the elephant, his almost impenetrable hide, his 

 rapid though clumsy movements, that he is a most desperate and 

 perilous object of attack. But those Africans who make it a business 

 to take them succeed without much difficulty, by forming pits and 

 snares of various descriptions, into which they are treacherously in- 

 veigled. 



December \%th. — Having finished my excursion, and returned in 

 safety to the vessel at Walwich Bay, examined the salt springs, and 

 procured a supply of beef and mutton from the natives, we again found 

 ourselves in readiness for sea, as it was now time to retrace our steps, 

 and look for seals to the south. The reader will remember that from 

 Saldanha Bay to our present anchorage, a distance of more than ten 

 degrees of latitude, we had critically examined every mile of the 

 coast; our boats being, at no time, more than one or two cables' 

 length from the breakers, and all by daylight. I can therefore say, 

 with confidence, that there are no other dangers along this part of the 

 coast than what I have pointed out and described ; and every navigator 

 who follows these directions will be sure to keep his ship afloat. It 

 will not be necessary, therefore, in passing over the same ground, to 

 recapitulate the facts already stated. 



December X5tL — On Monday, the 15th, we once more put to sea, 



