230 FOLLY OF MUTILATING THE TAILS OF HORSES. 6 June, 
packs : though in general a nocturnal animal, it frequently pursues 
its prey by day ; and as it is well formed by nature for speed, none 
but the fleeter animals can escape. Sheep and oxen therefore 
are more particularly exposed to its attacks : the first openly, but 
the latter only by stealth, as in the present instance, surprising 
them in their sleep and suddenly biting off their tails ; which the 
large opening and great power of their jaws, enable them to do 
with ease. 
I have never heard that large cattle are assaulted by them in 
any other way ; but the loss of their tail is a cruel inconvenience 
to cows and oxen, in a country where the warmth of the climate 
subjects them to great annoyance from flies. The colonists are 
aware of this inconvenience, and have the good sense to allow all 
their horses to enjoy the use of this most serviceable appendage. 
There cannot be a greater proof of bad taste and thoughtless cruelty, 
than, in viewing so beautiful an animal as the horse, so far to pervert 
all reason and sound judgment, as to consider that a mutilated 
stump is more handsome than the fine flowing brush which Nature, 
from whose works all our ideas of taste and beauty ought to be 
derived, has wisely bestowed. And it is to be hoped that we may 
yet live to see the time, when this error and folly will be utterly 
exploded. 
Before we started, I sent for Gert to the waggon ; and after 
giving him some useful, but mild, admonitions relative to the faithful 
discharge of his duty, in showing, by due respect at least, that he 
had not forgotten all the former kindness of his master, I told him 
that, wishing that the whole of my party should commence the journey 
in mutual goodwill, it was my intention to overlook all which had 
passed, and that I would request Mr. Anderson to use his persuasion 
in making peace with the captain. 
To this end, he was permitted to remain at Klaarwater till the 
next day, as he could, on horseback, easily overtake us ; and the 
same permission was given to Cornelis and Van Roye, that they 
might remain still a few hours longer with their friends. The latter 
