t
a fast traveller, could go two miles to one he is doing now, with all
his time engaged in urging forward the animals."

This conversation was interrupted by a shout from Swartboy himself. He
was standing over a little plant with narrow leaves, that rose not more
than six inches above the surface of the plain. It was the stem of the
water-root,--a plant that, on the karroos of South Africa, has saved the
lives of thousands of thirsty travellers, that would otherwise have
perished. Several stems of the plant were seen growing around the spot,
and the Bushman knew that the want from which all had been suffering,
would be at least partially supplied. A pick-axe and spade were hastily
procured from a pack carried by one of the oxen; and Swartboy commenced
digging around the stem of the plant first discovered. The earth, baked
by the sun nearly as hard as a burnt brick, was removed in large flakes,
and the bulb was soon reached,--at the depth of ten or twelve inches
below the surface. When taken out, it was seen to be of an oval shape,
about seven inches in its longest diameter, and covered with a thin
cuticle of a bright brown colour. The juicy pulp of the water-root was
cut into slices, and chewed. It tasted like water itself, that is, it
had no taste at all. Assegais and knives were now called into active
play; and so abundant was the plant growing near, that in a short time
every man, horse, and ox had been refreshed with a bulb.

The first root obtained by Congo was shared with Spoor'em, the hound,
which, with his tongue far-extended, had been crawling along with much
difficulty.

The young hunters might have passed over miles of karroo covered with
the bulb, without knowing that its slender, insignificant stems were the
indication of a fountain spread bountifully beneath their feet.

Congo and the Makololo were also ignorant of the character of this
curious plant; and all would have gone on without discovering it, had
Swartboy not been of the party. For the advantage he had given them, by
introducing them to the plant, the Bushman claimed nearly as much credit
as though he had created it. As no one was disposed to underrate the
service he had done, he obtained what appeared full compensation for all
the annoyance he had felt at being so long neglected.

Partly refreshed by the cooling sap of the water-root, the cattle
behaved as though they thought there was still something worth living
for. They move