"We are much obliged to you for what you have told us, Swinton, and will spare you for the present," replied Alexander. "What animals are those?--look!" "They are gnoos," replied Swinton. "There are two varieties of them, the common gnoo and the brindled gnoo. They form an intermediate link between the antelope family and the bovine or ox, and they are very good eating." "Then, I wish we were able to go after them. They do not seem afraid of us, but approach nearer at every gallop which they make." "Yes, although shy, they have a great deal of curiosity," replied Swinton. "Watch them now." The animals bounded away again, as Swinton spoke, and then returned to gaze upon the caravan, stirring up the dust with their hoofs, tossing their manes, and lashing their sides with their long tails, as they curvetted and shook their heads, sometimes stamping as if in defiance, and then flying away like the wind, as if from fear. "They are safe this time," observed Major Henderson; "but another day we will try their mettle." "You will find them fierce and dangerous when wounded, sir," said Bremen, who had ridden up. "We are not many miles from the river, for the cattle begin to sniff." "I am delighted to hear you say so; for then there must be water near. But the haze and glare together are so great that we cannot distinguish above two miles, if so much." "No, sir," replied the Hottentot; "but I can see well enough to see them," continued he, pointing with his finger to a rising ground about a hundred yards off; on the right of them. "One, two, three--there are five of them." "What are they?" said the Major, looking in the direction pointed out. "I see; they are lions." "Yes, sir; but we must take no notice of them, and they will not annoy us. They are not hungry." "You are right," said Swinton: "we must go right on, neither stopping nor hastening our speed. Let the driver look to the oxen; for tired as they are, the smell of the lions is sufficient to give them ungovernable strength for the moment." "Well," said the Major, "bring us our guns, Bremen. I am willing to accept the armed neutrality, if they will consent to it." The caravan passed on; the lions remaining crouched where they were, eyeing them, it is true, but not rising from their beds. The oxen, however, either through fear of the lions, or the scent of water near, became more brisk in their motions, and in half an hour they perceived a line of trees before them, which told them that they were near the bed of the Nu Gareip or Cradock River.