ald,
who was in front, standing up in his stirrups. On getting up with him,
he pointed ahead, when we saw in the distance what looked like a number
of black mounds.

"A troop of elephants!" he exclaimed. "But it will be no easy matter to
get near enough for a shot in this open plain."

Riding on a little further, the elephants came more closely in sight;
and near them were a number of rhinoceroses. It was soon evident that
they were busily employed; and Senhor Silva said he had no doubt that
they were eating the water-melons, a number of which probably grew
there.

Eager as Donald was to obtain the tusks, we declined assisting him in so
dangerous an undertaking. Turning southward to return to the caravan,
we shortly afterwards caught sight of three lions, and a whole troop of
hyenas and jackals, apparently quenching their thirst with the same
juicy fruit. Scarcely had we lost sight of them, when several herds of
antelopes appeared, scattered widely over the plain. They also were
evidently feeding on the melons. We fortunately, however, fell in with
a small patch of the fruit which had not yet been attacked, and were
thus able to load our oxen. Continuing our course across the desert, we
supported ourselves entirely by the watery fruit I have described.

We were pushing towards a village near a fountain, where Donald expected
to find an ample supply of water. He and I were riding ahead. At
length some circular, beehive-looking huts appeared in sight, with a few
people moving about in front of them. The men were armed with spear and
buckler, and wore the usual waist-cloth in front, and ornaments on their
heads and arms. Several, when they saw us, came forward, and began to
shake their spears and vociferate loudly. Before we could understand
their meaning, they were joined by a tall oldish-looking man, who seemed
to be their chief. After he had made a long harangue, Donald answered
him; but I saw by his gestures and those of his followers that no
satisfactory arrangement had been arrived at. Donald began to lose
temper.

"The fellows guess the strait we are in, and refuse to give or sell us
water," he exclaimed, "unless I deliver to them six of my best oxen,
four muskets, and I do not know how many articles besides. I have told
them I will do nothing of the sort; and we shall soon see that they will
come down in their demands. They know the country we have come through,
and probably think we are hard