1811. 
BUFFELBGUT. — WANT OF WATER. — LOSS OF OXEN. 
303 
\2tJi. This spring was situated in the middle of a wide open coun- 
try : it was named Buffelhoiii (BufFalo-leg), after a Hottentot, who 
bore that name in consequence of having formerly, at this spot, been 
severely wounded in the thigh by a buffalo. Here, in truth, we had 
not much to rejoice at ; for, although water was indeed found, the 
quantity was scarcely more than sufficient for our people only. It 
was merely a little dirty hole in the bed of a periodical rivulet ; and 
the great number of Namaqiia Partridges, and other small birds, 
which frequented it notwithstanding our presence, was a proof that 
no other existed within a great distance. The oxen and sheep, 
crowding in, trampled what we left, into a thick mud. Thus, unable 
to assuage their thirst, they stood around us, incessantly making a 
mournful piteous noise, as if to reproach us for bringing them into a 
country where thirst and starvation seemed to await them. On 
mustering our oxen preparatory to selecting the teams for the day, it 
was discovered that eight were missing, among which were two of the 
best of mine. It was concluded that, by this time, they must have 
either fallen into the hands of the Bushmen, by whom they were not 
very likely to be restored ; or that, having been scared in the dark- 
ness by the violence of the rain, lightning, and thunder, they had 
fallen a prey to the lions, which were here very numerous, and 
during the night actively prowling over the country ; as we knew by 
the symptoms of uneasiness manifested by the cattle, who probably 
now and then got scent of them whenever these beasts happened to 
be to windward. 
As these two were a serious loss to the team, one being my best 
' after-ox,' Philip was desirous of riding back in search of them, pro- 
vided the other Hottentots, who had in the same manner lost some 
of their's, would accompany him. But the captain, not thinking it 
safe to remain longer at this spot, and declaring that he could not 
wait for their return, the idea was abandoned, and our oxen, not 
without much regret and distress at their fate, given up as irreco- 
verably lost. 
The soil at this place was more sandy than it had hitherto been, 
