had gone. "Sind
me back across the big desert all alone by meself. Why, it would be
worse than murther. It's meself wishes I hadn't come."

Whatever he may have wished, these sharp words had the effect of
silencing Dinny for the time being; but when the Zulu had led them at
last, just at sundown, into a dense patch of forest, where the
overhanging trees made the gloom quite oppressive, Dinny's eyes showed
white circles round them; and if it had not been for the fact that they
found a Boer and his family encamped by the water they had been seeking,
the Irishman would have probably turned, and at all risks have fled.

People are ready enough to make friends out in the desert, and the Boer
gladly offered the use of the fire he had made, and a part of the
springbok he had shot, on receiving a share of some of the good things
brought by the newcomers. Then, with the great camp-kettle simmering
over the fire, and with the boys patiently waiting for their share of
the provisions, guns were cleaned and laid ready for use, the men the
while busily attending to the oxen and horses, while the Zulu and his
boys collected wood into a pile to keep up the fire.

"Sure an' it's a dreadful melancholy-looking place," said Dinny with a
shudder. And then he listened attentively while the Boer expressed his
belief that there were lions in the neighbourhood, though they were not
often seen.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

HOW NATURE WAS STRONGER THAN TRAINING.

Days and days of steady travel, and the slowly gained miles mounted up
till they had journeyed far into the interior. Mr Rogers, yielding to
the importunities of his boys, had several times over been ready to come
to a halt; but the Zulu still pointed forward, and feeling that there
must be much truth in his declarations regarding the game country on
ahead, he was allowed to act as guide.

It was a long journey, but though they did not have much sport, it was
not monotonous, for Mr Rogers was a good naturalist, and eager to
collect everything curious in beetle, butterfly, and bird, so that all
hands were pretty busy from dawn to dark. Coffee and Chicory, after
they had been taught not to pull off the feathers, became very clever at
skinning birds, some of which had been denizens of the woods, some of
the lagoons and marshes they had passed, and which were shot at
daybreak, or else after sunset, from amongst the great beds of reeds.
Then if they were ducks, the bodies became occupa