A DAY IN KHAMA's COUNTRY 15 



entirely to his voice and intimate acquaintance with 

 his team to keep them going. There is a vast dif- 

 ference between good and bad wagon-drivers. A 

 good and careful man, such as David, is a treasure 

 indeed. In the hands of such a man a span will 

 accomplish heavy, distressing, and waterless journeys 

 with half the labour and fatigue — and often loss of 

 life — shown by a span driven by a careless and flog- 

 ging driver. A good deal of the dreadful waste of 

 oxflesh constantly going on in South Africa arises, 

 undoubtedly, from cruel and careless driving. 



Of course, in crossing the Thirst-lands, where, for 

 three or four days on end, no water can be found for 

 oxen, hard and persistent trekking is unavoidable. 

 But, even in such straits, the careful driver, though 

 he may, and indeed must, use his whip towards the 

 end of the journey, will exercise skill and discretion, 

 and bring out most of his span with little loss from 

 death, though with infinite waste in flesh. In spite, 

 however, of the most careful driving, the long 

 " thirsts " of the Kalahari and North Bechuanaland 

 country are terribly trying to oxflesh. I never saw 

 a greater contrast in cattle than in ours before and 

 after this expedition. We quitted Khama's with 

 oxen fat, lusty, and in fine condition ; we came in, 

 some months later, with our beasts mere gaunt 

 frameworks of skin and bone. The span drawing 

 the lighter wagon (driven by Patshalan) had suffered 



