Page:Through South Westland.djvu/301

Rh cast with driving clouds, and the winds made Tom very foolish, for he bolted twice, and I had to hand him over to Transome, and ride the Scorpion. The ford at the Niger Hut was high, and we were glad to cross safely and get into our quarters, very tired and sleepy.

That night the herd of cows roamed round us uneasily, and an old, mangy red beast knocked down all my pots and pans outside, and found my precious soap, which she chewed. At last I heard Transome dragging his things inside, routed by her persistent attempts to take his rug; then peace fell, and I knew no more till morning. When I went out then, I found everything tumbled about, and after searching for my precious soap, picked up a dirty, unrecognizable lump, which the mangy cow had found too strong for her. This I thankfully recovered and washed in the creek.