get down their throats; the flesh of
the eland was pronounced excellent by our travellers, and there was much
more than they could possibly consume. The Hottentots were only allowed
to bring a certain quantity into the camp, that they might not attract
the wild beasts. They would have brought it all in, although they never
could have eaten it. The cattle were driven up in the evening, the
fires lighted, and the night passed quietly away.

At daylight they turned the cattle out to graze for a couple of hours,
and then yoked and proceeded on their journey, keeping as near as they
could to the banks of the river. They saw many hippopotami, snorting
and rising for a moment above the water, but they passed by them without
attempting to shoot at them, as they did not wish to disturb the other
game. As they advanced, the variety of flowers which were in bloom
attracted the notice of Alexander, who observed--

"Does not this plain put you in mind of a Turkey carpet, Major; so gay
with every variety of colour?"

"Yes, and as scentless," replied the Major; "they are all very brilliant
in appearance; but one modest English violet is, to my fancy, worth them
all."

"I agree with you," replied Swinton; "but still you must acknowledge
that this country is beautiful beyond description,--these grassy meads
so spangled with numerous flowers, and so broken by the masses of grove
and forest! Look at these aloes blooming in profusion, with their coral
tufts--in England what would they pay for such an exhibition?--and the
crimson and lilac hues of these poppies and amaryllis blended together:
neither are you just in saying that there is no scent in this gay
parterre. The creepers which twine up those stately trees are very
sweetly scented; and how picturesque are the twinings of those vines
upon the mimosas. I cannot well imagine the garden of Eden to have been
more beautiful."

"And in another respect there is a resemblance," said the Major,
laughing; "the serpent is in it."

"Yes, I grant that," replied Swinton.

"Well, I can feel no real pleasure without security; if I am to be ever
on the alert, and turning my eyes in every direction, that I may not
tread upon a puff adder, or avoid the dart of the cobra capella, I can
feel little pleasure in looking at the rich hues of those flowers which
conceal them. As I said before, give me the violet and the rose of
England, which I can pick and smell in security."

"I agree wi