On the second evening, just about dusk, as they were crossing a woody hill, by the elephants' path, being then about 200 yards in advance of the wagons, they were saluted with one of the most hideous shrieks that could be conceived.

Their horses started back; they could see nothing, although the sound echoed through the hills for some seconds.
"What was that ?" exclaimed Alexander.
"Shout as loud as you can," cried the Major; "and turn your horses to the wagons." Alexander and Swinton joined the Major in the shout, and were soon accompanied by the whole mass of Hottentots, shouting and yelling as loud as they could.
"Silence, now," cried the Major; every one was hushed, and they listened for a few seconds.
"It was only one, sir, and he is gone," said Bremen.

"We may go on." "Only one what ?" inquired Alexander.
"An elephant, sir," replied the Hottentot; "it's well that he did not charge you; he would have tumbled you down the precipice, horse and all.
There must be a herd here, and we had better stop as soon as we are down the other side of the hill." "I think so too," replied the Major.
"I shall not get that shriek out of my ears for a month," said Alexander; "why, the roar of a lion can not be so bad." "Wait till you hear it," replied Swinton.
They had now arrived at the bottom of the hill which they had been passing, and by the light of the stars they selected a spot for their encampment.

Whether they were near to any Caffre kraals or not it was impossible to say; but they heard no barking of dogs or lowing of oxen.
Having collected all the cattle, they formed a square of the four wagons, and passed ropes from the one to the other; the horses and sheep were driven within the square, and the oxen were, as usual, tied up to the sides of the wagons.
It should here be observed, that the oxen were turned out to graze early in the morning, yoked in the afternoon, and they traveled then as far as they could after nightfall, to avoid the extreme heat of the day, the continual visits of the Carries, and the risk of losing the cattle if they were allowed to be loose and fed during the night.
On the night we have been referring to, a more than usual number of fires were lighted, to keep off the elephants and other wild animals.
The hyenas and wolves were very numerous, and prowled the whole night in hopes of getting hold of some of the sheep; but as yet there had not been seen or heard a lion, although an occasional track had been pointed out by the Hottentots.
When the Hottentots had finished their labor, our travelers had to wait till the fires were lighted and a sheep killed before they could have their suppers cooked by Mahomed.

Begum, the baboon, had been released from her confinement since their crossing the Fish River, and as usual, when they sat down, came and made one of the party, generally creeping in close to her master until supper was served, when she would have her finger in every dish, and steal all she could, sometimes rather to their annoyance.
Our little Bushman had now quite recovered not only his strength but his gayety, and was one of the most amusing little fellows that could be met with.
He could not make himself understood except to one or two of the Hottentots; but he was all pantomime, trying, by gestures and signs, to talk to Mr.Swinton and his companions.