I had, the day before, by chance tasted the water
in the march, and found it slightly brackish. On examining the
proceedings of the people, I found that they were employed in
manufacturing salt. Before them were a number of funnel-shaped baskets
formed of grass rope. These were filled with the ashes, and water being
poured into them, percolated through the basket-work into calabashes
placed below to receive it. They were then put out in the sun, and the
water evaporating, left a small amount of salt in each. Although there
was not a sufficient quantity for salting fish or meat, the supply was
ample for ordinary use, and we were glad to purchase some with a few
beads which we had remaining in our pockets. Amply supplied as we are
in England with that necessary article, we can scarcely appreciate its
value in a country where it is not to be obtained without great
difficulty. Natty and I agreed to husband our little stock carefully,
as for the last few days we had felt the want of it when eating
rhinoceros flesh. We had observed several animals coming down to this
salt marsh to chew the coarse grass or to lick up the salt collected on
the reeds.

As we were walking along we heard the chief calling to us, and found
that he was prepared to set out on his proposed expedition. We saw as
we proceeded many large animals in the distance, but they had evidently
learned caution from the attacks made on them by the natives, and would
not approach the village. As we appeared they took to flight, keeping
always a long way out of range of our companions' arrows. Once I got
near a rhinoceros, but was unwilling to fire without feeling tolerably
sure of hitting the animal, as I had determined not to throw away a shot
if I could help it. At length we got into a region where we could
obtain cover among low bushes, and occasionally clumps of trees. The
natives took advantage of this, and hiding themselves under bushes,
clumps of tall reeds or grass, proceeded for some distance. Natty and I
followed their example. At last I saw, a little way from a grove of
trees, a herd of cameleopards quietly feeding. The blacks lay like logs
of wood on the ground, every now and then creeping slowly on when the
heads of the animals were turned away from them. Still they were too
far off for me to make sure of a shot. I saw, a little way on, a
solitary bush. I thought if I could reach it I might be able to bring
down one of the nearest g