PURSUIT OF A RHINOCEROS. 57 



was, that before we were half through the allotted stage the 

 sun had reached its zenith, and scorched and harassed us 

 dreadfully. 



As yet, with the exception of a few zebras, &c., we had 

 seen no wild animals, though the " spoor ' or track of the 

 gnoo and the gemsbok were frequent enough. This day, 

 however, at a turn of the road, we came suddenly upon a 

 few of the latter, but the sight so fascinated us that, instead 

 of firing, as we might have done, for they were within range, 

 we gazed at them in astonishment. 



We passed the night at a fountain called Annis, situated 

 on the side of the river. On the folloMdng morning, and at 

 only a few hundred paces from our bivouac, we discovered 

 the tracks of several rhinoceroses. Finding that one of these 

 animals had been drinking in a pool hard by during the 

 latter j)art of the night, Galton, Stewardson, and myself 

 went in search of the beast, the cart following in the bed of 

 the river. But, though we pursued the tracks of the animal 

 at a pretty rapid pace for nearly three hours, we were un- 

 able to come up with him, and therefore discontinued the 

 chase in despair and rejoined our caravan. 



During the following day I observed several curious-look- 

 ing crested parrots of a grayish color, which screamed dis- 

 cordantly on our approach; but as they always perched on 

 the top of the very highest trees, and kept an excellent look- 

 out, I could not possibly get within gunshot. 



I met, besides, with a vast number of delicate and pretty 

 butterflies, as also a wasp-looking fly of the most brilliant 

 dark blue. Having struck one of these to the ground, I was 

 about to secure it, when it stung me severely in the hand, 

 and in a very few seconds the wounded part began to fester, 

 and swelled to an enormous size, causing the most acute pain. 



While following the bed of the river, our mules and cattle 

 fared sumptuously ; for, although we found but little grass, 

 there was always an abundance of flue yoiinc:: I'eeds ; but, 



C2 



