SOUTHERN AFRICA. 431 
tlie wetness of the powder. They had no other instru- 
ment but a small penknife which, though useless to them, 
ivould have been quite sufficient for the purpose had the 
Hottentot been present, as these natives are well ac- 
quainted with the palsied state into which an animal falls 
by having the spinal marrow pierced with a pointed instru- 
ment. The two secretaries happened, hoAvever, to be io;- 
norant of this operation ; and the dela}^ occasioned by sug- 
gestions as to the best mode of accomplishing their point led 
to many grievous and melancholy reflections : as the tor- 
ment that must necessapily ensue to the poor animal Avhich 
had so frequently carried them and their baggage ; — the 
inefficacy of the expedient, as they Avere unable to carry 
much of the flesh Avith them ; — and the great danger of their 
remaining near a dead carcase on* a desert abounding Avith 
Avild beasts as hungry as themselves. They therefore deter- 
mined to give up the attempt ; and tying their handkerchiefs 
tight round the belly, after the maimer of the Hottentots, in 
order to allay in some degree the gnaAving pain of hunger^ 
they Avandered hopeless and disconsolate over a Avide and 
desolate plain, surrounded on all sides by dreary solitude and 
cheerless sterility, Avithout a trace to guide their steps, or 
distant point to direct their course. While thus they Avere 
silently and sloAvly marching along entirely at random, young 
Borcherds flincied he heard a distant noise produced by 
the cracking of a Avhip. They directed their steps towaid& 
the quarter from Avhence he sup|X)sed it to proceed ; and 
having travelled about a mile, they both distinctly heard a 
second crack. It Avas in fact a signal made by their com- 
panions, Avho fortunately had remained stationaiy the Avhole 
