ce. Even where they were walking there was herbage, and near to
the river it appeared most luxuriant. Tall mimosa-trees were to be seen
in every direction, and in the distance large forests of timber. All
was verdant and green, and appeared to them as a paradise after the
desert in which they had been wandering on the evening before. As they
arrived at the river's banks, they were saluted with the lively notes of
the birds hymning forth their morning praise, and found the cattle,
after slaking their thirst, were now quietly feeding upon the luxuriant
grass which surrounded them.

"Well may the Psalmist and prophets talk of the beauty of flowing
rivers," said Alexander; "now we feel the truth and beauty of the
language; one would almost imagine that the sacred writings were indited
in these wilds."

"If not in these, they certainly were in the Eastern countries, which
assimilate strongly with them," said Swinton; "but, as you truly say, it
is only by having passed through the country that you can fully
appreciate their beauties. We never know the real value of anything
till we have felt what it is to be deprived of it; and in a temperate
climate, with a pump in every house, people cannot truly estimate the
value of flowing rivers."

The Hottentots having now arrived, the cattle were driven back to the
waggons and yoked, that they might be brought up to a spot which had
been selected for their encampment. In the mean time our travellers,
who were tired with their night's walk, lay down under a large
mimosa-tree, close to the banks of the river.

"We shall stay here a day or two, of course," said the Major.

"Yes, for the sake of the cattle; the poor creatures deserve a couple of
days' rest."

"Do you observe how the mimosas are torn up on the other side of the
river?" said Swinton; "the elephants have been very numerous there
lately."

"Why do they tear the trees up?" said Alexander.

"To feed upon the long roots, which are very sweet; they destroy an
immense number of the smaller trees in that manner."

"Well, we must have another elephant-hunt," said the Major.

"We may have hunts of every kind, I expect, here," replied Swinton; "we
are now on the very paradise of wild animals, and the further we go the
more we shall find."

"What a difference there is in one day's journey in this country,"
observed Alexander: "yesterday morning there was not a creature to be
seen, and all was silent as death. Now l