AFRICA. 75 
Some light burthens are then placed upon it, 
fuch as hides, mats, &c ; and thus, by gra- 
dually and infenfibly increafing the load, 
they render it fit to carry and retain on its 
back the weight of three hundred pounds 
and more; which is in nowife troublefome 
to it when on a journey. 
Their manner of loading an ox is very 
fimple. A man placing himfelf before the 
animal, lays hold of the thong affixed to the 
fmall flick that palTes through its noftrilsi 
and this method renders the moft furious 
calm and peaceable. Some Ikins are thrown 
over its back, to prevent it from being hurt j 
and in proportion as they lay on the efFedls 
which are to ccmpofe the load, two robuft 
Hottentots, ftanding one on each fide, ar- 
range and fecure them by a leather girth, 
which goes feveral times round by pafilng 
under the animal's belly. Thefe girths are 
often above twenty yards in length ; and, to 
faften them more clofely each time it pafl^es 
round the load, thefe men prefs their knees 
againft the animal's fides ; while one fees, 
with no lefs aftonifhment than pain, the poor 
brute, with its belly reduced to lefs than its 
ordinary fize, endure this torture, and march 
alonix 
