serting a long reed, he began to suck away with might and main.
In a short time the water flowed, and was led down by another reed into
a hole at the end of an ostrich egg, which was soon filled with water.
As we had a leathern bucket we were enabled to give our animals a drink,
though we could not allow them as much as they would have liked.

The Bosjeeman then, refilling the egg-shells, returned with us to where
we had left his companions. We found that they had built themselves a
hut, if so it could be called, in a thick mimosa bush, by bending the
boughs so as to form a roof, covered by reeds lightly fastened together.
The inside was lined with dried leaves, grass, and the coarser feathers
of the ostrich. When they saw that we were encamped, the three hunters
lighted a fire and sat themselves down before it to enjoy a sumptuous
repast of ostrich flesh. Though unattractive in appearance, they were
honest little fellows, and we slept in perfect security, knowing that
they would give us timely notice of the approach of an enemy.

Jan assured us that we might trust them, as it was a high mark of
confidence on their part to show us where we could procure water, for
they are always careful to hide such spots from those they think
unfriendly.

They accompanied us the following day, and led us to a pool, the only
one we had met with while crossing the desert. Probably in many seasons
that also would have been empty. Here our animals got as much water as
they could drink, and we filled our water-bottles. We then parted from
our yellow friends, who said that, as they were ignorant of the country
to the northward, they could not venture farther. Trusting to Jan's
sagacity to find water, we proceeded in good spirits.

We had hoped to trade largely with the natives, but as we had lost the
greater part of our goods, we should have to depend upon our own
exertions to obtain the ivory and skins which would repay us for the
difficulties and dangers of our journey. We had fortunately saved the
greater part of our ammunition, which would enable us to hunt for some
months to come.

Of course we knew Mr Welbourn would be much disappointed at seeing us
arrive with so slender an equivalent for the skins and ivory my uncle
had taken south, instead of the waggon full of goods which he had
expected.

"He is a sensible, good-natured fellow, and will know that it was from
no fault of ours we were plundered," observed my uncle. "