t, encouraged by Denis, he staggered on. It was too evident
that he was growing weaker and weaker, and he declared a last that he
could not carry his gun.

"But without it you will not be able to defend yourself, should we be
attacked by a lion or lioness," said Denis.

"No matter: I must die then," answered Gozo.

"Well, if I carry your gun, will you come on?" asked Denis.

"I'll try, master, I'll try," answered the black as Denis took the gun.

"I must help you to carry it," said Percy. "I cannot do much to assist
the fellow along, but I hope that his weakness is more fanciful than
real, and that now he is relieved from the weight of his gun he will
move on more briskly."

For a short distance Gozo staggered on faster than he had done for some
time previously, but again his feet moved slower and slower, until
coming to a tree he begged that he might lie down under it in the shade
and rest.

"But rest means delay, and every minute we are becoming more and more
thirsty," said Denis.

Still Gozo insisted on lying down, and Denis and Percy had to agree to
his doing so. As they could not leave him, they sat down by his side.

After remaining a few minutes, however, Denis started up. "Come, this
will never do," he exclaimed; "push on we must; we shall be as exhausted
as he is, if we do not soon find water, and we shall not find it by
sitting here."

"I am ready," said Percy; but when they tried to induce Gozo to rise, he
declared that he was utterly unable to move.

"Leave me here, masters," he groaned out. "If you find water in a short
time, come back, but if not go on, for it will be useless to return, as
I shall be dead."

Again and again they endeavoured to induce him to get up, but in vain
were all their efforts. At last Denis said, "We must leave him, I fear,
though he runs a great risk of being destroyed by some wild beast."

He then turned to the unhappy native. "We will do as you wish. We will
leave you your musket to defend yourself, but I would urge you not to
give in; and if you feel yourself stronger, follow us. You will easily
distinguish our spoor, and we will fire off our pieces to show you our
whereabouts, should we find water," he said.

With much regret they left poor Gozo, having strong doubts whether they
should find him alive on their return. They set off slightly refreshed
by their rest. They had not gone far when they caught sight of a single
wildebeest, or gnu, scampering