so that they were
serviceable both as interpreters and guides. The day after their
arrival, when they were out in the skirts of the town, Mr Swinton
perceived something moving in the bushes. He advanced cautiously, and
discovered that it was a poor little Bushman boy, about twelve years
old, quite naked, and evidently in a state of starvation, having been
left there in a high fever by his people. He was so weak that he could
not stand, and Mr Swinton desired the Hottentot who was with him to
lift him up, and carry him to the waggons. Some medicine and good food
soon brought the little fellow round again, and he was able to walk
about. He showed no disposition to leave them; indeed, he would watch
for Mr Swinton, and follow him as far as he could. The child evidently
appeared to feel attachment and gratitude, and when they were about to
depart, Mr Swinton, through the medium of one of the Hottentots who
could speak the language, asked him if he would like to stay with them.
The answer was in the affirmative, and it was decided that he should
accompany them, the Major observing that he would be a very good
companion for Begum.

"What name shall we give him?" said Swinton.

"Why, as my baboon is by title a princess, I think we cannot create him
less than a prince. Let us call him Omrah."

"Omrah be it then," replied Mr Swinton, "until we can name him in a
more serious way."

So Omrah was put into the waggon, with Begum to amuse him, and our
travellers took their departure from Graham's Town.

CHAPTER TEN.

It was in the afternoon that they moved from Graham's Town. They had
intended to have started earlier, but they found it impossible to
collect the Hottentots, who were taking their farewells of their wives
and the liquor-shops. As it was, most of them were in a state of
intoxication, and it was considered advisable to get them out of the
town as soon as possible. Late in the evening they arrived at Hermann's
Kraal, a small military fort, where they remained for the night, to give
the Hottentots an opportunity of recovering from the effects of the
liquor. The next morning they again started, and the landscape now
changed its aspect, being covered with thick bushes, infested with wild
beasts.

A barren and sterile country was soon spread before them, the sun was
oppressively hot, and not a sign of water was to be observed in any
direction. At last they arrived at a muddy pool, in which elephants ha