CROSS THE UMYELOOSE. 
51 
lion distinctly, and Hopeful and Crafty barking at 
him furiously. He at length charged against the 
side of the tent, unpegging two of the ropes ; so we 
struck a light, and kept a candle burning till the 
morning. He gave us one fine chance of shooting 
him, but Clifton had given strict orders that no one 
must fire, lest the lion should come into the tent. 
5 th. — Outspanned within a mile and a half of 
the Umveloose. 
Oth. —Jack and I started before daylight, to try 
and bag a wild goose or two, as there are plenty of 
them about the Umveloose, but we had to return to 
our quarters with two brace of quail and a blue 
heron. I had several long shots at geese, but they 
require a heavy dose to bring them down. We got 
back to a splendid breakfast of quail, beautifully 
cooked by Leggins, while the rest were inspanning. 
I followed them shortly on my pony, my Kaffirs 
carrying the kettle, saucepans, dishes, and condi¬ 
ments, and overtaking the wagon at the drift, which 
we crossed in good style, though not without diffi¬ 
culty, as the river was four feet deep, and the 
sand heavy. Seeing two wagons, we outspanned at 
a kraal just before sunset, and drew up alongside. 
Clifton purchased three oxen from a Zulu trader, and 
we passed a jolly evening together, hearing all the 
news; among the rest, that England and France were 
positively at war with Russia. 
10 th .—Clifton and I laboured hard to get a 
black goose, but there was no getting a shot. I was 
