Part 22 (2/2)
One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged hi that the creature ress much in that manner Still, neither Hans nor the Zulus had ever seen any creature at all like this in South Africa
Returning to the sailors, Hans asked the lieutenant if he knew of any creature that had only two legs, that was large and heavy, and lived in the sea, but could come on shore
”Yes, seals, and sea-lions,” replied the lieutenant
”Then they come here,” said Hans; ”there is spoor of the creatures on the beach”
”Then we are safe for food, and that is so as seals or sea-lions can be captured or shot As soon as all ishere, we'll examine the island”
In half an hour every ite safely secured, the lieutenant left three e of the boats and stores, and two others with directions to collect all the dry sea-weed and pieces of wood or reed that they could find These were to be heaped together toabout, this island see-place for many sea-birds
The lieutenant, with Hans and the Zulus, and the re men, went in shore to examine all that was to be seen The island was rocky and barren, and destitute of vegetation There seemed no strea creatures except birds
The centre of the island was elevated about three hundred feet, and froht be obtained all around Ascending to this plateau, the lieutenant and Hans were both occupied in looking round the horizon for sons of a vessel, and the latter was therefore startled by hearing one of the Zulus in a loud voice exclaim ”_Amanzi_!”
”Water!” shouted Hans; ”where?”
”There it is,” said the Zulu, pointing to a hollow piece of ground which they had passed, and in which there was a large rocky basin about thirty feet across, and in which there ater A rush was at once made to the place by the whole party Officer and sailors, Zulus and Hans, were each equally interested Upon reaching the side of this pool, or reservoir, a clear mass of water some six feet deep was visible; it was evidently the deposit of rain water which had drained fro over this, Hans reached his hat into the pool, and bringing it up full of water, drank a few mouthfuls, and announced it to be fresh A loud hurrah from all the sailors answered this stateenious ood drink of the fresh water A tehted, could he have seen these stalwart, hardy men so anxious to obtain merely cold water, yet not one e this well of fresh water for its quantity in wine or spirits; for every experiencedwhich quells the thirst so effectually as water or tea, the latter being essentially water, merely flavoured by a herb
”There are very heavy rains here,” said Hans, ”and this pool is the result of them We shall not want for water”
”No; we are favoured,” said the lieutenant; ”for there must be times in the dry season when no water is here We have sea-weed for fuel, we can get birds and sea-lions for food, and thus we can live for soet to the Cape”
”Ah! I aet away froain my people,” said Hans ”Theythem as soon as possible”
”Yes, I can fancy that you are,” said the officer; ”and so aet to my shi+p We shall have soh it does not pay when their shi+ps are burnt
However, wereached some land, and found food and water If we had not obtained water here, we o to that peak and look round, and judge of the size of our island I should like to go all round it before I return to the boats--so cohest peak on the island, from which a vieas obtained all round The island was very small, and appeared alone It was evidently a volcanic production, and e In ated in such nuround withfor soed birds which had sed theions, and would then drop the root, they would produce the first vegetation
After scanning the horizon with his telescope, the naval officer examined the shore, which was visible from this peak nearly all round the island Scarcely had he directed it to one part of the shore nearly on the opposite side of the island to that on which he had landed, than giving the telescope to Hans, he told hi the telescope, directed it at the spot indicated, and iame) there
What are they?”
”They are sea-lions,” said the lieutenant, ”and we can eat them, and can make tents out of their skins There are scores of thee to shoot them”
”Are they very shy?” inquired Hans
”I think not They don't know much about men on these islands, I expect, but still we had better stalk them”
”Yes, that must be done, and let no one shoot who is not certain where his bullet will go to at a hundred yards”
”Now shooting these creatures is more in your line than mine, as you are an elephant hunter,” said the lieutenant; ”so you just arrange the matter, and tell me what to do, and I'll direct theof the aniht to be hunted differently, so I cannot give safe advice; but I think we o down this way they will smell us”