h less
caution than before, their hunters being sent out to kill game, which
appeared in great abundance--elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wild boars,
zebras, and deer of various species, besides guinea-fowl, pelicans, and
numerous other birds.

Ned had a great inclination to join these hunting parties, but Sayd
persuaded him to remain in camp, indeed, on most occasions, he felt too
much fatigued to take any unnecessary exercise.

An ample supply of meat put the caravan in good spirits, and they
marched on, shouting and singing, feeling themselves capable of
conquering the world.

"We have now a country before us very different to any we have yet
traversed," observed Sayd. "The slaves will not sing quite so loudly."

They had just arrived at a small stream. Here Abdullah issued the order
that every man should fill his water-bottle.

"We will carry a gourd apiece in addition, it will be well worth while
bearing the extra weight, for before many days are over we shall esteem
a few drops of water of as great value as so many pieces of gold,"
observed Sayd. "See how leaden the sky looks yonder, and how the air
seems to dance over the surface of the earth."

Some of the chiefs desired to camp where they were, but Abdullah was
eager to push on, as they had marched but two hours that morning. A
water-hole, he said, would be found before nightfall, or the people
might dig and the precious fluid would be discovered beneath the earth.

After a short halt, therefore, they recommenced their march. The
chiefs, who did not carry even their own muskets, found it easy enough,
but the pagazis groaned under their heavy loads as they tramped over the
baked ground. Scarcely a tree was to be seen, and such shrubs and
plants only as require little water. The sun sinking towards the
horizon appeared like a ball of fire, setting the whole western sky
ablaze. Not a breath of air fanned the cheeks of the weary men. Ned
did not complain, but he felt dreadfully tired, and had to apply so
frequently to his gourd that it was nearly empty.

"We have not yet got half-way over the desert," observed Sayd. "I
advise you, my friend, to husband that precious liquid."

"But Abdullah believes that there is a water-hole before us."

"His belief will not bring it there!" answered Sayd. "It may by this
time be dried up, and we may have many a long mile to march before we
reach another."

A few minutes after this a line of trees appeared ahe