saw two giraffes lumbering
across the horizon.

"Wish we had a few yoke of those fellows," said the explorer. "They can
go for months without water, and seem to pick up a living from the dead
grass."

"I thought camels were the only beasts who could live on air?" said
Charlie in surprise. "Do you mean that giraffes absolutely require no
water?"

"That is it," answered von Hofe. "It is an unexplained mystery, my
friend. The giraffe, he carries no water-tank inside like the camel, yet
he sweats and lives. How, is not known."

Charlie and Jack looked after the Masai, but found them dust-grimed and
cheerful. The leader, Bakari, had evidently picked out the best men--all
stalwart, sinewy warriors who won the respect of the boys in that
terrible march by their powers of endurance and unfailing good humor.

"I don't see how they can plug along on foot that way," volunteered Jack
on the third day. "By jiminy, two days of it would 'bout put me in
hospital! Say, Chuck, ain't these moccasins great? If we had boots now
we'd be sorry."

"You bet," nodded Charlie. "They keep the dust out pretty well. The
doctor has to empty out a pound o' dust every hour. No wonder his feet
are swollen up!"

Indeed, that night von Hofe made application for a pair of the spare
moccasins. The dry, irritating dust made no entrance through the thick
moosehide, and although the moccasins were undeniably hot, they were
much better than hunting-boots. He freely admitted that in no instance
had Schoverling's prophecies and ideas fallen down, and thereafter wore
his moccasins until the end of the trip.

The dry, brown grass of those plains was almost hidden by the dust, but
when their fodder gave out, on the fifth day, the oxen seemed to take it
willingly enough. Day after day the march kept up without intermission,
and fortunately the six-oxen suffered no loss. They were used to such
treks, and the unremitting care of the boys kept them in good shape.

On the seventh day the supply of meat, large as it had been, began to
show signs of giving out. The Masai had accepted the smoked meat
willingly enough, but neither the explorer nor the boys had counted on
their enormous appetites. As it would not do to halt the march, the
wagon was left in charge of von Hofe, while the General, the boys, and
the three gun-bearers cantered out after whatever game they could find.
So far the horses had stood the strain well, being seasoned, wiry little
beasts. Scho