A F R I C 109 
thus I proceeded with her for more than a 
league, to the houfe of the planter of whom I 
had purchafed my firft oxen. This trial fo 
far fatisfied me, that I thought of keeping her 
for riding : but in that cafe it would have been 
neceffary to cure her wounds, and they were 
too large for me or my people to venture on 
fuch an undertaking* Accordingly I gave up 
the defign ; and thinking that, if left to her- 
felf and the inftind: of nature, fhe would re- 
cover with much more fpeed and certainty, I 
refolved to give her her liberty. But the Hot- 
tentots of the planter at whofe houfe we were 
begged the animal of us, that they mJght feaft 
On her flefli, of which they were fond ; and, 
iti cotifequence, (he was killed and cut up im- 
itiediately. 
Among the various perfons who will read 
this fa£t, fome will no doubt be found ready 
to maintain that it proves nothing ; and that an 
animal fatigued by a long chafe, weakened by 
wounds, and loaded with an unwonted burden, 
muft naturally become manageable and more 
docile. This reafoning, I confeft, would be 
applicable to a human being ; or even to do- 
meftic animals^ which, born patient, or become 
fo 
