. Missionary travels and researches in South Africa : including a sketch of sixteen years' residence in the interior of Africa, and a journey from the Cape of Good Hope to Loanda, on the west coast, thence across the continent, down the river Zambesi, to the eastern ocean. the presence of water within thirty or fortymiles. Indeed, the sleek fat condition of the eland in suchcircumstances would not remove the apprehension of perishingby thirst from the mind of even a native. I believe, however,that these animals can subsist only when there is some moisturein the vegetation on which they feed ;
. Missionary travels and researches in South Africa : including a sketch of sixteen years' residence in the interior of Africa, and a journey from the Cape of Good Hope to Loanda, on the west coast, thence across the continent, down the river Zambesi, to the eastern ocean. the presence of water within thirty or fortymiles. Indeed, the sleek fat condition of the eland in suchcircumstances would not remove the apprehension of perishingby thirst from the mind of even a native. I believe, however,that these animals can subsist only when there is some moisturein the vegetation on which they feed ; for in one year of unusualdrought we saw herds of elands and flocks of ostriches crowdingto the Zouga from the Desert, and very many of the latter werekilled in pitfalls on the banks. As long as there is any sap inthe pasturage they seldom need water. But should a travellersee the spoor of a rhinoceros or buffalo or zebra, he would atonce follow it up, well assured that before he had gone manymiles he would certainly reach water. In the evening of our second day at Serotli, a hyaena, appear-ing suddenly among the grass, succeeded in raising a panicamong our cattle. This false mode of attack is the plan whichtins cowardly animal always adopts. His courage resembles. Chap. III. MESSAGE FROM SEKOMI. 57 closely that of a turkey-cock. He will bite, if an animal isrunning away; but if the animal stand still, so does he. Seven-teen of our draught oxen ran away, and in their flight went rightinto the hands of Sekomi, whom, from his being unfriendly toour success, we had no particular wish to see. Cattle-stealing,such as in the circumstances might have occurred in Caffraria, ishere unknown; so Sekomi sent back our oxen, and a messagestrongly dissuading us against attempting the Desert. Whereare you going ? You will be killed by the sun and thirst, andthen all the white men will blame me for not saving you. Thiswas backed by a private message from his mother. Why doyou pass me ? I always
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