36 
winter season. The wind last night was so tremendous, 
that I thought every minute the wagon cover would 
be carried away, as it flapped and creaked over us in 
a most uncomfortable manner as we lay in bed; 
but it fortunately held on to its moorings. The gale 
continued all day, so that we found much difiiculty in 
cooking our dinner of partridge and pumpkin. The 
partridges here are rather larger than those at home, of 
difi'erent varieties, and very good eating. Lion " has 
had several gallops after the small buck we have seen 
along the road, but he is always left far behind. Next 
day our second trek brought us to the flat country, which 
we pass through before reaching Newcastle. Managed to 
kill a *^Vaal Eea Buck," by a lucky shot, as he was 
running, and most acceptable it was, as we were out of 
meat. It was a small buck about the size of a ^^roe," 
with little horns about six or eight inches long. Saw the 
secretary bird for the first time, which preys on snakes, 
and is protected by the law of Natal, as being such a 
useful member of society ; but being very anxious for a 
specimen I risked the fine, though I did not succeed in my 
attempt to shoot the bird. Another donkey died. The 
donkey and cart are evidently a failure for the purpose for 
which I bought them. We camped to-day within sight of 
the Drachensburg range, the future scene of many a 
struggle with our unfortunate oxen, up and down its steep 
and rugged spurs, and at the other side of which lay our 
promised land" of sport. 
May 2Sth. On again by daylight, and had to leave the 
last donkey but one by the side of a spruit," as all 
Slangey's" persuasions could not get him along. Passed 
an outlying farm belonging to a Scotchman, who I asked 
to look after him, and to whom I offered him cheap ; but 
we never heard anything more about it, and I daresay the 
poor brute died the following night. We have nothing in 
