CHAPTER VI. 



THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



WITHIN the boundaries of British Bechuanaland 

 the immense tract of country known as the Kalli- 

 harri covers a space of at least five hundred and 

 fifty miles north and south by about four hundred 

 in breadth. Where surface waters in the form of 

 pools, wells, or springs exist on its south-west edge, 

 here and there a few white settlers live as stock 

 farmers ; and small communities of Bastaards, 

 Kaffirs, Korannas, Hottentots, and wild bushmen 

 lead a semi-nomadic life dependent on their scanty 

 flocks and herds, eked out by the produce of an 

 occasional hunt. 



No cultivation is attempted, as every drop of 

 water has to be economised for the use of the 

 people and their live stock, the numbers of which 

 are limited by the quantity of water available for 

 their use. The pasturage is far superior to any 



