oat seemed to consist of a dry horny substance, or as if I
had swallowed some of the contents of a dust-bin. Still on and on I
went. I hoped by continuing in a direct course that I should obtain
water more speedily.

A considerable portion of the day had passed away. The sun had attained
its greatest heat, when I thought I saw in the distance a line of trees,
which I felt sure indicated the presence of water. I pushed on more
eagerly, but as I advanced they changed their outline, and suddenly
disappeared. All I could see before me was a low line of grass and
bushes, which had evidently been magnified by a mirage into the
proportion of lofty trees. I went on, but continued to be deceived time
after time in the same way. In every direction the mirage danced on the
plain. I found that in reality the range of my vision was restricted to
a very moderate distance. Suddenly a herd of animals appeared, lifted
completely up in the air. They were deer of some species. I hoped by
killing one that I might somewhat quench my raging thirst with its
blood, but before I had got up to where I had seen them they had
scampered off. At length I saw what I felt sure was a pool of water.
Eagerly I hurried towards it. It was a long way off, I thought; but I
was willing to go any distance for the wished-for fluid, hoping that my
sufferings would find relief, and that I might return before nightfall
to my young companion. I was confirmed in my opinion by catching sight
of several gnus going in the same direction. "They are going there to
drink," I thought; and I felt ready even to encounter lions or any other
savage beasts for the sake of the water. The gnus did not perceive me,
as they were to windward. There was, however, so little wind that I had
to wet my finger and hold it up to discover the point from which it
came. I hoped that I should be able to get close up to the animals.
Now they stopped and fed, now they moved on again slowly. Presently I
saw them stop, when they began switching their tails, and sniffing the
air, and scraping the earth impatiently with their hoofs. As I was
concealed by the ground, which here was sufficiently uneven for the
purpose, I did not think that they could have discovered me. Presently
I was startled by the fierce growl of some animal at no great distance.
I stopped; and looking round, I saw to my horror a huge lion and lioness
at a short way off, just above me. It was evident that they