84 TINCAS, 



possible — it was deemed advisable that we should still con- 

 tinue on the Naarip, where, though water was scarce, the 

 road was hard and good. Tineas Mountain, which on our 

 former journey was to the right, was now, of course, to our 

 left. After about fourteen hours' fatiguing travel we reach- 

 ed the small River Tineas, where we unyoked, and rested 

 ourselves and the weary oxen until nightfall, when we were 

 again en route. 



As we had now adopted the plan of traveling during the 

 night, so as not to distress the animals too much, we found 

 it necessary to keep a sharp look-out, both on account of the 

 wild beasts, and for fear of losing our way. The latter was 

 particularly to be guarded against ; for, in this land of 

 drought, any considerable deviation from the regular track is 

 not unfrequently followed by serious consequences. Hans 

 and myself were accustomed to keep watch by turns, for we 

 never dared trust to the men ; but this night, owing to our 

 previous fatigue, we both unfortunately fell asleep. 



When I awoke, I found that we were far out of our proper 

 course, and all the men were snoring in the wagons. How- 

 ever, as it was starlight, and the landmarks very conspicu- 

 ous, we had not much difficulty in recovering the proper 

 track. 



Toward break of day we unyoked the tired oxen in the 

 bed of a small dry water-course, where we found abundance 

 of excellent grass. The unattached cattle did not join us till 

 late in the afternoon, as the men in charge of them had fallen 

 asleep. Their negligence, however, was excused on account 

 of the good news they brought. It appeared that soon after 

 it was light they discovered a huge rhinoceros, accompanied 

 by a nearly full-grown calf, following in their wake, and that 

 they had only lost sight of the beasts when within a short 

 distance of our bivouac. 



So favorable an opportunity was too tempting to let slip. 

 Having hurriedly partaken of some breakfast, and provided 



