we shall be badly off indeed."

They therefore left the body of the Kaffir where it lay, his rifle by
his side, but they wisely carried off his ammunition, in case their own
should run short. Sometimes they thought they saw shrubs which could
only grow near water, but on getting up to them they were disappointed
at not finding the slightest signs of moisture. Although the flesh of
the gnu had greatly revived them, still in a short time their thirst
returned. They pressed onward as before, the dogs ranging on either
side, apparently aware of what they were in search of, or prompted by
instinct to look out for themselves. Still there were no signs of
water. They went on for fully an hour more, during which time they
could have got over only between two or three miles, for they could not
walk very fast.

They had gone some way farther when Percy caught sight of some objects
moving over the plain, now stopping, now going on again.

"They are small animals of some sort," said Denis, to whom he pointed
them out. "We must try and get near them without putting them to
flight. Depend upon it they are not likely to be far from water."

There were some bushes at a little distance, to which the lads made
their way, in order to get near the creatures without being seen.

"Why, I believe they are baboons!" cried Denis; "the Kaffirs call the
creature the chacma. They are hunting for babiana root, which is always
full of water. We can drive them off just as they have begun to dig,
and before they have got hold of the roots we shall secure as many as we
want for ourselves. Had we seen them only a few hours ago, poor Gozo's
life might have been saved."

They were now getting near to the bushes, and the baboons, being very
busy, had fortunately not perceived them. They crept on cautiously
until they had got within fifty yards of the animals. There were a
couple of dozen at least. Some had got hold of roots which they were
eagerly eating, others were busily digging away in the sand. The lads
had some difficulty in keeping back the dogs; for as soon as they saw
the baboons they made efforts to rush at them, and very probably would
have suffered severely in consequence.

"Now," whispered Denis, "I see three or four have been digging away not
far off, evidently expecting to find roots. In a few seconds we'll
fire, then shout, and let slip the dogs."

They did as he proposed. The baboons, frightened at the unusual soun