ng to point
towards the earth, in which they were ultimately destined to take root;
some more than half-way down; while others were already fixed, forming
stout pillars to their parent branches--thus, as it were, on reaching
maturity, rendering that support which it is the glory as well as the
privilege of youth to accord to age. Besides these, there were wild
dates and palmyra trees, and many others too numerous to mention, but
the peculiar characteristics of which I carefully jotted down in my
note-book. Many small water-courses were crossed, in some of which Mak
pointed out a number of holes, which he said were made by elephants
wading in them. He also told us that several mud-pools, which seemed to
have been recently and violently stirred up, were caused by the
wallowing of the rhinoceros; so we kept at all times a sharp lookout for
a shot.

Lions were also numerous in this neighbourhood, and we constantly heard
them roaring at night, but seldom saw them during our march.

Well, as I have already remarked, one day we were travelling somewhat
slowly through the long grass of this country, when, feeling oppressed
by the heat, as well as somewhat fatigued with my load, I called to
Jack, who was in advance, to stop for a few minutes to rest.

"Most willingly," he replied, throwing down his load, and wiping away
the perspiration which stood in large drops on his brow. "I was on the
point of calling a halt when you spoke.--How do you get on down there,
Peterkin?"

Our friend, who had seated himself on the bale he had been carrying, and
seemed to be excessively hot, looked up with a comical expression of
countenance, and replied--

"Pretty well, thank'ee. How do _you_ get on _up there_?"

"Oh, capitally. There's such a nice cool breeze blowing, I'm quite
sorry that I cannot send a little of it down."

"Don't distress yourself, my dear fellow; I'll come up to snuff it."

So saying, Peterkin sprang nimbly upon Jack's shoulders, and began to
gaze round him.

"I say, Peterkin," said Jack, "why are you a very clever fellow just
now?"

"Don't know," replied Peterkin. "I give it up at once. Always do.
Never could guess a riddle in all my life."

"Because," said Jack, "you're `_up to snuff_.'"

"Oh, oh! that certainly deserves a _pinch_; so there's for you."

Jack uttered a roar, and tossed Peterkin off his shoulders, on receiving
the punishment.

"Shabby fellow!" cried Peterkin, rubbing his head. "But,