ation of a horse or ox dying.

"All go bong (dead)," he cried. "No go along. No water drink. Big
fellow horse, can't pull along."

He pointed again and again, out over the plain, and shook his head
violently.

"White fellow come 'long," he continued, as he leaped up, shouldered his
spear, and started, pointing before him to the tree-spread track nearer
the river. "Bull-cow fellow eat."

He made believe to snatch a mouthful of grass, and went on munching it
as he walked slowly on as if pulling a load.

"Much water, drinkum, drunkum," he continued, pointing in the direction
of the river.

"He seems to be right, Ned," said Uncle Jack, as the boys looked on
eagerly.

"Yes; I suppose he is. Perhaps it is sandy and waterless all across
there."

"And if we keep by the river, we shall get grass, shelter, and water."

"Yes; but I do not like to have my plans overset by a savage."

"Not when the savage knows better?" said Uncle Jack, drily.

"How do I know that he does?" said the captain. "How can I tell that he
is not going to lead us into some ambush, where his tribe will murder us
and seize upon our goods and stores?"

"Humph I hope not," said Uncle Jack. "I'll shoot him dead if he does,
but I think I'd trust him."

"I want to get rid of the fellow," said the captain; "and he is always
coming back."

"He'll soon be tired," said his brother. "These people seem to be very
childlike and simple. It is a novelty for him to be with us. One of
these days he will be missing. I shouldn't worry about him."

"Gee-hup, horse fellow!" shouted the black, just then. "All along.
Shanter know. Baal that way."

He pointed over the plain and shook his head. Then shouldering his
spear, he stepped off nearly due west, and the caravan started.

Day succeeded day, and the two halts were regularly made in pleasant
places, but the captain was never satisfied. They were good, but he
always found some drawback. The progress was very slow, for it was hot,
but the land was dry, and the difficulties they had with the wagons were
very few, and their few miles were got over steadily day after day, with
no adventure to signify; and to make up for the slow progress, their
cattle were fresh and in good condition at each morning's start, while
the whole process seemed like a pleasant excursion of the most enjoyable
kind.

At last one day, the hottest on their journey, the draught cattle had a
laborious pull, for the ground