my eyes. I saw him kneeling by my
side. Jan was busily engaged in lighting a fire, while the ox was
feeding not far off. A hut was then built for me, and as soon as I was
placed in it I fell asleep. In the morning I awoke greatly revived. My
uncle said he was determined to remain at the spot until I was
sufficiently recovered to travel, and I promised to get well as soon as
I could. When breakfast was over he started off with his gun to try and
shoot a deer, for we had just exhausted the last remnant of venison we
possessed.

As, sheltered from the rays of the sun, I lay in my hut, which was built
on a slight elevation above the lakelet, I could enjoy a fine view of
the country in front of me.

Jan, having just finished cleaning my gun, was engaged a little way
below me in cutting up the wood for the fire, singing in a low voice one
of his native songs.

Presently I caught sight of my uncle in the far distance advancing
towards a rounded hillock which rose out of the plain below. Almost at
the same moment, I saw still further off several animals which I at once
knew to be deer coming on at a rapid rate towards our camp. They were
taking a direction which would lead them close to where my uncle lay in
ambush. They were followed by others in quick succession, until a vast
herd came scampering and bounding across the plain like an army, two or
three abreast, following each other. Twice I heard the report of my
uncle's rifle. On each occasion a deer fell to the ground.

Jan cried out that they were blesboks, one of the finest deer in South
Africa. They had long twisting horns, and were of a reddish colour, the
legs being much darker, with a blaze of white on the face.

I never saw a more beautiful sight. Jan was all eagerness, and, taking
my gun, he went in chase; but before he could get near enough to obtain
a shot, the whole herd was scampering away across the plain, laughing at
his puny efforts to overtake them.

In a short time my uncle appeared, carrying a portion of one of the
animals on his back, and immediately sent off Jan with the ox to fetch
in the remainder.

Here was wood and water, and game in abundance, so that we could not
have chosen a better spot for remaining in until I was myself again. As
we had plenty of meat he was able to concoct as much broth as I could
consume. It contributed greatly to restore my strength; and, judging by
the progress I was making, I hoped that we should be