AFRICA. 367 
their paflage ; but when we once arrived at 
the level country, which was covered with 
long grafs, I ordered the oxen to be relieved ; 
and obferving that they went on at a good 
I pace, I mounted my horfe, to get before 
them. Yager, my favourite dog, which never 
quitted me, and always followed me in my 
hunting excurlions, was obliged for this time 
to remain behind, not being able to keep up 
with me. He copied the example of my 
Hottentots, and did not arrive with them till 
five in the afternoon. 
The three hunters whom I had fent out In 
another quarter had alfo returned completely 
loaded, having killed two gnous and three 
antelopes ; fo that we found ourfelves fuffi- 
ciently flocked with provifions : but the great 
heat, and the fridtion of the hippopotamus 
againft the earth, had fo mangled and hurt its 
body, that fome of the moft tender and deli- 
cate parts were fpoilt, and began to fmell. On 
this account we were obliged to employ the 
night in cutting it up : part of it was faked in 
the fkins of the two gnous which my hunters 
had brought with them ; and the choice mor- 
fels I ordered to be put into a brandy barrel, 
the head of which we knocked out after we 
k had 
