nald. "We shall have
more strength to haul you up afterwards."

While he was speaking, he let down the tether-ropes. I fastened the
water-melons to them.

"You will excuse us, Andrew," said Stanley, "if we satisfy our thirst
before getting you up. You know from experience what it is."

Not waiting for my reply, their heads were in the melons, I suspected,
before many seconds had passed. They did not keep me waiting long; but
the next time the rope came down I fastened the meat to it. This was
hauled up, Donald uttering exclamations of satisfaction at seeing it.
By the aid of the rope I very quickly scrambled out; and as I did so I
felt thankful that assistance had come, for from the depth of the hole
and the nature of the sides I saw that I should not have got out without
assistance. They had come upon the remains of the hartbeest, but had
not discovered any water-melons, and their horses were, therefore,
scarcely able to proceed. Even the small supply of the watery fruit we
were able to give the poor animals greatly relieved them.

The next question was, how to get my horse up. I volunteered to descend
again. With the aid of the tethers and all the straps we could muster,
we managed to get a rope of sufficient length round his shoulders, so as
to leave his limbs free, that he might help himself as much as possible.
We then shuffled down the sand, making him leap up on it as it fell;
and at length, by hard work, once more we got him on level ground.

My horse was heavily laden, but my friends remarked that could they have
exchanged some of the meat for water-melons they would gladly have done
so. We, however, could discover none on the ground over which we
passed. Fortunately they knew the bearings of the camp, and at length
its fires appeared in sight. I was surprised to find in reality how
short a time I had been in the pit; for I supposed I had passed the
greater part of the night there.

We found our friends bitterly disappointed at having discovered no
water, as they had expected, at their halting-place. Every one was
complaining,--even Kate and Bella; for even the supply intended for the
young ladies had been exhausted. My tidings of the water-melons was
joyfully received; and it was arranged that a party should set out with
oxen and baskets at daylight. I lay down, as did Stanley and Donald, to
obtain a little sleep. I was to lead the party, as I fancied I knew the
direction where I had foun