ur position, Timbo and Chickango brought up the rear on
oxen, with directions only to fire in the case of any large body of
natives being seen following, or should a wild beast threaten to attack
them. Thus we travelled on hour after hour. We halted only once, to
give the oxen some water-melons or leroshua roots, and to take a little
food and water-melon ourselves, I found that Kate and Bella had become
very anxious, because one of the Hottentot boys, who spoke a little
English, had been telling them all sorts of stories of the ferocity of
the natives, and of the way they had attacked travellers and carried off
their oxen. Donald, on hearing this, soundly rated the lad, assuring
the ladies that, as he had never been in that part of the country
before, he could know nothing of the matter.

After a short rest we again pushed on. The sun at length rose above the
dry plain, shedding a brilliant glow of crimson over the whole eastern
horizon, and lighting up the summits of the bare rocks, and clumps of
trees here and there, with a red tinge. I could not help dreading, with
the prospect of a burning day before us, that water might not be found.
At length we arrived at one of the sand-wells I have before described.
We eagerly rushed into it, and sank our reeds, in the hope of obtaining
water. It came, but at a slow rate, which promised but a scanty supply
for our thirsty cattle, even though we might obtain enough for our own
wants. The blacks quenched their thirst by sucking narrow reeds, which
they ran into the sand. Donald, after examining it, gave orders to them
to dig, in the hope of obtaining a larger quantity. The result of the
operation was satisfactory, and we accordingly resolved to encamp there
for a day or two, till our cattle had obtained enough water to last them
till we could get across the desert. There was an abundance of grass,
growing in tufts, and a small group of trees near us, which would afford
us shade and firewood. Stanley also hoped to kill some game. The poor
cattle had to wait, though, till our horses had the water they required.

Leo and Natty had been amusing themselves outside the camp. "Here; see
what we have got!" cried Leo, returning after they had wandered to a
short distance. "Hillo!" he exclaimed, turning round as I went out to
meet them. "Why, it was a long creature just now; and see, it has
turned into a ball; and a big ball it is!"

The ball of which Leo spoke was covered