1811. 
INSTINCTIVE SAGACITY OF ANIMALS. 
451 
danger, by instant flight. It was this natural or instinctive propen- 
sity to fly, which occasioned our oxen to struggle and endeavour to 
get loose ; but fortunately for them, the strength of the reims pre- 
vented their doino^ this. Yet their efforts to disengase themselves 
were so violent, that my waggon was in great risk of being over- 
turned ; and for some time it was unsafe to remain in it. A fire 
is generally sufficient to hold the lion at a distance ; but ours 
was at this time extinguished by the rain ; on which account he 
pressed closer upon us. Fortunately, some muskets fired at ran- 
dom, or aimed only by guess, had the effect not only of keeping him 
off", but of quieting, in a great degree, the restlessness of the cattle. 
The Hottentots say that the oxen have sagacity enough to know 
that the discharge of muskets, under such circumstances, is for the 
purpose of driving away their dreaded enemy ; and, whatever may 
be the notions of these poor animals on the subject, such is certainly 
the effTect commonly produced on them, as I often myself witnessed 
on subsequent occasions. Perhaps it is, that a certain instinct they 
may possess, enables them to discover that the beast does actually 
retreat when muskets are fired off". We could discover, from an un- 
usual and peculiar barking of the dogs, that he continued prowling 
round us till midnight ; but his fears to encounter man, were the 
only obstacle to prevent his carrying off" his prey ; and finding it 
thus too strongly protected, he at last withdrew. All then became 
quiet, and we again lay ourselves down to rest till morning. 
lAth. Speelman, who had been out hunting very early, returned 
after four hours' absence, to inform us that he had shot two quakkas, 
a male and a female, which he had left in the plain about four miles 
off", at a considerable distance out of our road. I therefore altered 
my course, while the other waggons continued on in the direct road. 
The weather, the whole day, was remarkably fine, yet very hot ; 
and the moisture of the air, from the rain of the day before, caused 
a great sensation of lassitude, and rendered the ordinary business of 
travelling very fatiguing. 
I again took the bearing of the Table Mountain near the 
Salt-pans, which still appeared in sight to the southward, though at 
3 M 2 
