326 TRAVELS IN 
rear-guard came galloping towards me full 
fpeed, followed by all the relays, which ar- 
rived in the greateft diforder. The terror 
being communicated to the twelve oxen of 
my Pampoen-kraal waggon, which at that 
time having no Hottentots to keep them back 
and manage the two firft, as is generally the 
cafe, took fright and ftarted on one fide, by 
which accident the pole was broken, and 
dragging the carriage after them, they rufhed 
into the thickeft part of the buflies. Our 
confufion now became every moment more 
genera], and by the bellowing of the oxen 
there feemed to be no doubt that we were 
purfued by lions. We therefore ran to our 
arms ; and whilft fome attempted to flop the 
oxen of the other two carriages, which had 
fuffered themfelves to be hurried away like 
thofe of the third, and while others were 
employed in gathering and collefting every 
thing they could lay their hands on in order 
to kindle fires, I fet out, accompanied by 
my moft expert huntfmen, and went back 
the fame way we had come, to oppofe thefe 
cruel animals, and give the reft time to make 
every neceffary preparation. The night was 
not very dark; we were upon a fandy plain, 
which 
