6 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



and 20 from the mountain. Our native boy was with me, so I sent a note to 

 Fred and he telephoned to Keetmanshoop for an axle. One arrived after a 

 day and a half. In the mean time I camped in the middle of the river. Not a 

 place I would choose for a picnic with the temperature about ioo° and a sand 

 storm most of the day. 



On the twentieth of this month, one-third of an inch of rain fell. It filled our 

 waterhole full again, so we now have no doubts but that there will always be 

 an adequate supply there. The rain was quite general and heavier towards the 



I'u.. 7. — i.(H)kinn ii\cr into the Mojave desert from the Smithsonian station un 

 Table ^Mountain, California. 



north. The Fisli river came down in flood and was between 9 and 10 feet high 

 the first day. We drove over to the river Sunday afternoon where the road 

 crosses between Tses and Berseba. It is a pretty spot there. After a lunch of 

 tea and sandwiches we donned bathing suits and proceeded to treat ourselves 

 to a swim in muddy water. We all enjoyed it thoroughly and were loath to 

 come out after an hour of swimming about. 



We hear leopards almost every night now. The Hottentot captain lias prom- 

 ised to send out a lot of boys and dogs to catch them. Tlie boys arm tliemselves 

 with clubs, and with tlie aid of the dogs a leopard does not liave much chance 

 of escape. 



