16 NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



most. One had died from thirst ; three others had 

 lain down and been abandoned, yet had risen during 

 the cool of night and followed the wagon-spoor 

 through the desert. These were of course useless 

 for the remainder of the journey. David's team, 

 although terribly run down, had all stood to their 

 yokes and struggled through to the bitter end. Yet 

 these eighteen oxen had drawn an infinitely heavier 

 wagon. 



In]crossing the Kalahari Thirst-land again I should 

 always be inclined to travel with much lighter 

 wagons than the average up-country hunting-wagon, 

 even if one had to take a considerably reduced outfit. 

 A light spring-wagon is infinitely more adapted for 

 crossing these trying wastes, waterless, and deep in 

 yielding sand, than the heavy, cumbrous, though 

 comfortable, castle on wheels so dear to the South 

 African Dutchman. The Bechuana natives use pack- 

 oxen and riding-oxen for this part of the country, 

 and accomplish long waterless journeys with apparent 

 ease. 



I secured another brace of pheasants along the 

 kopjes before descending for breakfast. I shot also 

 a fine falcon on the hill-side. The bird was sitting 

 moodily upon a thorn-tree sunning itself in the 

 bright rays of the morning. It was probably, like 

 myself, on the look-out for breakfast. The falcon 

 gave me an easy shot, but took some despatching 



