here a
small plant grew with linear leaves and a stalk not thicker than a
crow's quill. Instantly taking a spade fastened to the back of the ox,
he began eagerly digging away; and after he had got down to the depth of
a foot, he displayed to us a tuber, the size of an enormous turnip. On
removing the rind, he cut it open with his axe, and showed us a mass of
cellular tissue filled up with a juicy substance which he handed to us,
and applying a piece to his own mouth ate eagerly away at it. We
imitated his example, and were almost immediately much refreshed. We
found several other plants of the same sort, and digging up the roots
gave them to the horses and ox, who crunched them up with infinite
satisfaction.

Our thirst was relieved in a way I could scarcely have supposed
possible. The animals too, trudged forward with far lighter steps than
before. Relieved of our thirst and in the hopes of finding either water
or more tubers next morning, we lay down thankful that we had escaped
the fearful danger we had apprehended. As we advanced we looked out
anxiously for the tuber-bearing plants, but not one could we see. I had
gone on some little distance ahead, when I caught sight of a round
object some way off, which, as the rays of sun fell on it, appeared of
scarlet hue. I ran towards it, when I saw what looked like a small
oblong red melon.

"Here's something worth having!" I exclaimed, cutting into it with my
knife. When I applied it to my mouth, to my disappointment I found
that, although juicy in the extreme, it was perfectly bitter. I threw
it down in disgust. Jan soon afterwards, on coming near, said:

"Dis no good, but find oders presently!"

Hurrying along, he struck one after another, and quickly handed me one
perfectly sweet; when he collected many more, with which we returned to
where my uncle had halted with the animals.

The fruit was far more gratifying to the taste than the tubers. We
allowed the animals to eat as many as they wished, and, loading them
with a supply in case we should fail to find others further on, we
continued our journey.

Those melons lasted us another whole day and a night, and afforded the
only liquid which passed our mouths. As we were on foot our view over
the level desert was limited.

I was walking alongside my uncle, discussing our future plans, having
begun to hope that, in spite of the difficulties we had to contend
against, we should get through, when I saw