through the body. At the whip-like
crack of the rifle the two dogs dashed forward into the thick clumps of
low milk-bush into which the bird had fallen, and presently reappeared,
Thunder dragging the bird along the ground by one of its legs, while
Juno romped round him uttering low, sharp yells of delight, varied by
sudden dashes of pretended threat to snatch the koraan away from him.

CHAPTER TWO.

A TRAGIC HOMECOMING.

In due time our first outspan was reached--a wide vley with a small
spruit meandering lazily through it, and plenty of rich grass for the
oxen--and here a halt was called for a couple of hours during the
hottest part of the day; then on again to the next outspan, which was
reached about an hour before sunset. Here my aversion to mutton again
asserted itself; and while the "boys" watered the oxen, built the camp
fire, and generally made preparations for the coming night, I took my
rifle, and, accompanied as usual by the two dogs, and by Piet, carrying
my double-barrelled 12-bore shot gun, I sauntered off in search of
something acceptable for supper.

The spot where we had outspanned for the night was the one which I
usually chose as the termination of the second stage of my journey when
going to Port Elizabeth. It was an extensive flat, dotted here and
there with big clumps of bush, and with a wide, shallow depression in
the ground, about a mile distant from the wagon. Into this the same
spruit alongside which we had outspanned at midday found its way and
widened out into a broad, shallow, reed-bordered sheet of water, much
frequented by wild duck, widgeon, and geese, and also the favourite
drinking place of all the game haunting its immediate neighbourhood. I
felt pretty certain, therefore, of getting a shot at something by
ambushing myself among the reeds, and to this spot I accordingly made my
way. As it happened, we arrived in the very nick of time, for we had
scarcely taken up a position among the reeds, in a situation that
enabled me to command a view of a good wide stretch of water, when I saw
a faint smudge against the clear sky southward, which rapidly resolved
itself into a big flight of wild duck heading directly for the end of
the pond near where I was ambushed; and I had only time to pass my rifle
to Piet and receive from him the shot gun in exchange when, with much
quacking, the flight wheeled and proceeded to settle down upon the
surface of the water. As they did so I raise