nts of the great pot;
if they were not considered eatable they fell to the share of the dogs.

That great iron pot, which was always suspended from three poles over
every fire that was made, became an institution. The idea was taken
from a hint given by a hunting-party, one of the gentlemen forming it
telling Mr Rogers that, upon returning weary and exhausted to camp,
there was nothing so restorative us good rich soup. Consequently,
whenever a buck was shot, great pieces of its flesh were placed in the
pot, and allowed to stew till all their goodness was gone, when the
blacks considered them a delicacy, the rich soup being the portion of
the hunting-party.

Game was scarce, but they got a sufficiency of either small bok or birds
to supply their wants; and, whether it was the constant change, the
fresh air, the rich meat essence which Dick partook of with avidity, or
whether it was a combination of the effect of all these, the change in
the boy was magical. He could take a long ride now without feeling
weary, and wanting in appetite; he was ready to buckle to and help when
the waggon was stuck, literally putting his shoulder to the wheel with a
will, and in place of hanging back, he was now the first to spy out
game, and set off in chase, making Jack quite envious by coming back in
triumph with a couple of springbok hanging from his saddle-bows, both
having had to succumb to his rifle.

But this was not to be borne; and Jack at once took Chicory into his
confidence.

"I must shoot a springbok, Chick," he said. "Dick has shot two."

"Boss Jack shoot springbok to-morrow," said the boy, decisively; and
soon after daybreak roused his young master, and pointed out across the
plain towards the rising sun.

"Bok," he said laconically; and while Jack was giving a finishing touch
or two to his dress, the boy ran off, and began to saddle Stockings,
having the little horse ready by the time Jack was prepared to mount.

The others were not awake, saving the Zulu and Dick, who had the morning
watch; so Jack got off unquestioned, and rode away in the direction
pointed out by Chicory, whose dark eyes made out the presence of the
little bok long before they could be seen by his young master, who began
to think that he had been deceived, and expressed his doubts upon the
point.

But Chicory smiled, and laid his hand upon Jack's arm, pointing to where
some shadow shapes of animals could be seen through the faint mist
hanging