rips and dried, while the
fat is carefully removed and preserved. We left them engaged in this
operation, several men having completely disappeared inside the huge
carcass. They were all too busy and eager in the work to notice our
departure, and so we got off without the ceremony of leave-taking. We
went on in good spirits, for we had made a fair beginning, and secured
friends in our rear, which was of great importance. We walked on for
about two hours in the cool of the morning, when, beginning to get very
hungry, we looked about for water to cook our breakfast. None, however,
could we discover. At length, pushing on ahead, we saw before us a
small antelope called a sassaby. Bigg said that he was now certain that
water was not far off. As the antelope did not take to flight, and we
wanted food, I unslung my rifle, and aiming steadily, shot it through
the body. It ran on for some way, and I thought we should have lost it;
but Solon gave chase, and in a few minutes brought it to the ground. We
hurried up, and having killed the animal, and cut off as much of the
flesh as we could consume, proceeded on in the direction where we
thought water was to be procured. Still we did not reach it, and our
thirst and hunger became excessive.

While considering how we could best direct our steps, a flight of birds
passed over our heads to the east. They, however, circled round after
some time, and flew back westward. Soon after another flight passed
over our heads, and appeared to descend a quarter of a mile or so ahead.
This encouraged our hopes. The country was undulating, and there were
hollows which at no distant period had contained water. Then we came to
one which was still muddy; and ascending a hill near it, we saw before
us a bright mass glittering in the sunbeams. Solon gave a bark of
delight, and trotted on, and we followed as fast as we could, till we
came to a pool of pure, clear water. We soon had a fire lighted, and
some water boiling for our tea; while our venison, stuck on little
sticks round it, was toasting, and hissing, and bubbling away right
merrily. After this we lay down in the shade of a tree to rest. We
might have travelled through a part of the country where more water was
to be found, but then we should have been certain to meet with more
natives, who might have impeded our progress.

Scarcely had we proceeded half a mile after our forenoon rest, than,
emerging from a wood, we saw befor