layed beyond the
usual time, we found during the day the thermometer stand at 96 Deg.
in the coolest possible shade. This height at Kolobeng always portended
rain at hand. At Kuruman, when it rises above 84 Deg., the same
phenomenon may be considered near; while farther north it rises above
100 Deg. before the cooling influence of the evaporation from rain may
be expected. Here the bulb of the thermometer, placed two inches beneath
the soil, stood at 128 Deg. All around Nchokotsa the country looked
parched, and the glare from the white efflorescence which covers the
extensive pans on all sides was most distressing to the eyes. The water
of Nchokotsa was bitter, and presented indications not to be mistaken
of having passed through animal systems before. All these waters contain
nitrates, which stimulate the kidneys and increase the thirst. The fresh
additions of water required in cooking meat, each imparting its own
portion of salt, make one grumble at the cook for putting too much
seasoning in, while in fact he has put in none at all, except that
contained in the water. Of bitter, bad, disgusting waters I have drunk
not a few nauseous draughts; you may try alum, vitriol, boiling, etc.,
etc., to convince yourself that you are not more stupid than travelers
you will meet at home, but the ammonia and other salts are there still;
and the only remedy is to get away as quickly as possible to the north.

We dug out several wells; and as we had on each occasion to wait till
the water flowed in again, and then allow our cattle to feed a day or
two and slake their thirst thoroughly, as far as that could be done,
before starting, our progress was but slow. At Koobe there was such a
mass of mud in the pond, worked up by the wallowing rhinoceros to the
consistency of mortar, that only by great labor could we get a space
cleared at one side for the water to ooze through and collect in for the
oxen. Should the rhinoceros come back, a single roll in the great mass
we had thrown on one side would have rendered all our labor vain. It was
therefore necessary for us to guard the spot at night. On these great
flats all around we saw in the white sultry glare herds of zebras, gnus,
and occasionally buffaloes, standing for days, looking wistfully toward
the wells for a share of the nasty water. It is mere wanton cruelty to
take advantage of the necessities of these poor animals, and shoot them
down one after another, without intending to make