s leg. Between us all we managed to kill him, and then turned
homewards.

The only noteworthy incident that occurred on the way back was the
starting of a troop of baboons, which went scampering down the cliffs in
consternation like balls of brown hair. We also descended some broken
ground, so steep that it was almost impossible to keep the saddle.
Looking at Edwards, I observed that the ears of his horse appeared
between his feet, while its tail waved over his head like a dragoon's
plume. At last we were compelled to dismount and lead our animals, our
minds being sometimes divided between the danger of missing our footing
in front, and being tumbled on by our steeds behind.

Thus we hunted on the Baviaans River mountains in adverse circumstances,
and returned home moderately pleased, though not particularly
successful.

The rains had by that time flooded the whole country, and rendered
travelling almost impossible. The river was running wildly past the
house, and there was no bridge over it.

We held a consultation on Monday as to our departure. The weather was
fine at last, but the river flooded. The tortuous nature of its bed
necessitated five or six crossings in the course of twelve miles. Were
they fordable? was the question. "We shall go and try," was Hobson's
final decision. "Try" is the watchword of all true pioneers. We
saddled and set forth. Hobson drove the cart, with my portmanteau.
During the first part of the journey I was to accompany Edwards on
horseback. We had a Hottentot servant with us, who rode one horse and
led another.

It was a most enjoyable ride in the bright sunshine that day.
Everything was fresh, green, and glittering after the long-continued
rain. Baboons were seen on the way, and shouted at us, whether in
defiance, derision, or encouragement, is best known to themselves. All
the "drifts" or fords were passed in safety till we came to the last on
Baviaans River. Here the powerful stream rose to our saddles, and the
opposite bank had been so much washed away that it seemed impossible to
get the cart up.

"I'll cross," said Edwards, "and if necessary we'll cut a slope in the
bank."

In he went, floundered through, and managed to ascend the opposite bank,
though not without a severe struggle, for besides being high and steep,
it was very wet--coated, in fact, with soft mud.

The Tottie with the led horse followed his master. I followed the
Tottie--close in his steps,