arried made
necessary. I was still at some little distance when they overtook me,
saying they had been too late. A number of birds and beasts of prey had
set on the carcass, and devoured the greater portion. However, the
supply I brought was doubly welcome. As it would only afford enough
food for a day's consumption, we agreed to set out again immediately, in
the hope of falling in with another herd of elands. The importance of
obtaining food was very great. Mr Fraser's attendants were already
grumbling at their short allowance, and he was afraid that they would
desert him, and leave us to make our way alone. He also was glad of an
excuse for moving southward. We had been out a considerable part of the
day without being able to get up to any herd, though we saw one or two
in the distance. I was talking to my companions, when, looking up, I
saw before us what seemed like a dark cloud moving through the air at no
great distance above the earth.

"What can that be?" I exclaimed, pointing it out to Mr Fraser.

"I will tell you presently," he said. "I fear it bodes us no good!"

The cloud, as I may call it, now seemed to rise higher in the air, in
the same compact body as it at first appeared. Then it suddenly sank
and dispersed into smaller portions. Now again it united, again to
spread and to rise, very much with the appearance of huge columns of
sand whirled up by the wind. On it came towards us.

"I will tell you what it is now," said Mr Fraser. "That is a flight of
locusts. Woe betide the spot they select as a resting-place!"

As he spoke it appeared as if a heavy snow-storm had begun, for the
locusts, as they alighted on the ground, looked exactly like huge
snow-flakes. Several thousands might have fallen round us; still the
whole mass seemed in no way diminished, and on they flew, the noise of
their wings sounding like that produced by a gale of wind whistling
through the rigging of a ship at anchor. On and on we rode, but still
the mighty mass of winged insects advanced. Far as the eye could reach,
they appeared hovering in the air. We pushed on for some miles, hoping
to get beyond them; but the same dark cloud appeared before us. Not an
animal was to be seen. We turned to the left and galloped on, but still
could not get clear of the mighty column.

"There will be small chance of our meeting with any game to-day, I
suspect," observed Donald, pulling up and looking round him. "It will
far