102 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
stone dead, I hastened round by the wagon to get 
assistance, and a hatchet, to bring home his head as a 
trophy; but, on returning to the river, nothing was 
to be seen but pools of blood: the other crocodiles had 
dragged him into the water in the meantime. I was 
much disappointed, as it is difficult to get one, except 
in the water, where they always sink when shot. 
Here is a recipe for an excellent stew : about one 
pound and a half of breast of sea-cow well stewed, 
cut up small, about three table-spoonfuls of inside fat 
rendered down as white as snow, a few red peppers, 
salt, a handful of rice, a handful of fine flour, a couple 
of pickled walnuts, with a few sprigs of thyme, or 
some such herb. The ingredients seem rather miscel¬ 
laneous ; all I can say is, that I made it by guess, and 
put in anything I had; but when it came up, I thought 
nothing could improve it. The long nights were 
rather dreary with nothing but ‘Blaine’s Field Sports ’ 
and a few old 6 Family Heralds ’ to read; but, though 
I should like companions in the evening, I should 
always prefer to shoot alone. 
25th .— I recovered my oxen, which had been lost 
for two days previously, and with some labour got 
over the rise of the Umlilas. 
2 Qth .— A long blank day on the tops of the 
Umgowies;—wearisome up-hill work, and saw 
nothing but an eland cow, which was too wary 
to let us approach, so we went supperless to bed. 
28th .— By the advice of a Dutchman, Joubert by 
name, I changed my route, and he accompanied 
