Part 18 (2/2)

”How far is it from here to the Black River, Swinton?”

”About forty miles; not so much perhaps to the river's bed, but at least that, if not more, before we shall fall in with any water at this season of the year”

”We s before we leave this”

”No, for we shall have no water to-night, that's certain We cannot travel more than twentyhere and there to avoid the holes and ant-hills, the twenty miles will be at least thirty,” said Swinton; ”but now I o and tell the Hottentots to find me what I want: a pound of tobacco will procure it, I have no doubt”

”But I have one; ”we are too near the pool, and we shall be surrounded with lions to-night; the Hottentots o, but they will not”

”One cannot well blame them; I'm sure a pound of tobacco would not persuade ree with you, we are too near the pool, and as we ht, I think we had better fill our water-kegs, and then yoke and take up a position for the night about half a ive us his advice”

As Swinton agreed with them, they yoked the oxen, and drove forward about a ons and lighted large fires round the caravan

The Major was correct as regarded the Hottentots' procuring an ant-eater for Swinton; they would not leave the fires, and the continual approach of the lions during the night proved that they ise in so doing

There was no occasion for the lions to roar; theof the dogs, and the uneasiness of the cattle, invariably gave notice of lions being at hand Shots were fired off during the night, to keep theht was passed away undisturbed

They started the followingat daybreak, and, at the same time, the Caffres took their departure to their own country The ground over which the caravan travelled was stony and sandy at intervals, and they had not proceeded far before they again discovered a great variety of game dispersed over the level plain They did not, however, atteo on as far as possible, so as to give the oxen an opportunity of picking up what little food they could during the middle of the day, at which tio in pursuit of game But before they had travelled three hours, they were surprised at a cloud of dust, which obscured the horizon, in the direction they were proceeding

”What can that be?” said Alexander

”I think it is springbok,” said Brebok, why, there must be thousands and thousands of theht,” said Swinton; ”it boks; I have never seen them, but I have often been told of them”

The body of antelopes now advanced towards theht path; and to state their nuht have been fifty or a hundred thousand, or more As far as the eye could see in any direction, it was onethe whole plain

As they approached the caravan, those nearest huddled on one side and occasionally bounded aith the resnot upon the earth, but, for want of roo in between the ranks

A hazy vapour arose from these countless herds as theyon the waggons, which had been stopped as the herd ca with the crowds to feast at his leisure The animals appeared very taons, for the evening's supper Notwithstanding that the herd moved at a rapid pace, it was more than two hours before the whole had passed by

”Well,” observed Alexander, ”I can now say that I have seen no want of gao directly on to the southward,” replied Swinton; ”the ration of these animals is one of the most remarkable proofs of the fecundity of ani before them; and if we journey in the direction they have come from, we shall find no food for the cattle until after the rains After the rains fall, these animals will return to their forht them so far to the southward”

”Their track is evidently from the north and eastward,” said the Major; ”had we not better change our course more to the northward?”

”No, I should think not; they have probably travelled on this side of the Nu Gareip or Black River We shall have neither water nor food for the cattle to-night, and therefore I think we had better go on as we are going, so as to make sure of water for the to feed the cattle, we had better continue right on till the evening; we shall sooner arrive at the river, and so gain by it”

It was but half an hour before dark that they unyoked the tired oxen

Water or grass there was none; and, as another misfortune, they could not find sufficient wood of any kind to keep up the necessary fires during the night All they could collect before dark was but enough for one fire, and they considered it better, therefore, that only one should be lighted