410 
A WALK ALONG THE RIVER. 
30 Oct. 
praised as a delightful shady path, now was viewed as the lurking 
place of lions and of every formidable beast of prey. Hitherto, he 
had always lagged the hindmost ; but now, I found some difficulty 
in keeping pace with him. This acceleration, combined with the 
heat of the sun, pouring down upon us through the unshaded 
spaces, which, as we advanced, became more and more frequent, 
made us feel the latter part of this walk excessively fatiguing ; though 
the distance was probably not more than five miles. In this part no 
rain could have fallen for several months, as the earth was every 
where divided by wide gaping cracks occasioned by excessive drought. 
Having no other guide than the river itself, we continued walk- 
ing on, still wondering that we did not reach the place, as we had 
been told that it was no more than an hour distant, and we had 
already been an hour and a half on the way. But our apprehensions 
that we had missed the spot, were relieved by the distant sound of 
voices, wafted down the stream to us, along the surface of the water. 
Listening as we advanced, we plainly distinguished the tone of the 
Bushman language, and were hesitating whether to go on, or to take 
a circuitous path to avoid them ; as they might happen to be some 
unfriendly kraal, who would be tempted to take advantage of us, 
thus alone, and beyond the reach of all help. But a few hundred 
paces more, enabled us to distinguish the less vociferous tongues of 
our own people ; and, quickening our steps, in five minutes we 
caught sight of them through the stems of the trees. 
The busy party were surrounded by the sweetest scenery that 
landscape can produce. They had floated the animal to the bank, 
and were labouring hard to get it out of the water ; for, although it 
was but half grown, and only, what they called, a calf, its bulk being 
equal to two oxen at least, was more than they could manage ; till 
the Bushmen came to their assistance. At last it was rolled on to 
the grassy bank ; and immediately, all who had knives, fell to work 
in cutting it up. 
The monstrous size, and almost shapeless mass, of even a small 
Hippopotamus, when lying on the ground, and compared with the 
people who stood about it, appeared enormous. While they were 
