206 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



southwest, having a tearing, fiery tail, which .-tfange meteor, to 

 .he best of my recollection, shone brightly in the clear firmament 

 for five or six weeks. We lived well, but lonelily. My camp 

 abounded with every delicacy tongues, brains, marrow-bones, 

 kidneys, rich soup, with the most delicious venison in the world,' 

 &c., &c., and a constant supply of ostrich eggs. The 25th was 

 cool and cloud}'-, being the first day that the sky had been overcast 

 si'jce I had left the Thebus Flats. 



In the afternoon I resolved to ride far into the oryx country, 

 sleep under a bush, and hunt them on the following morning. I 

 accordingly left my wagons about 3 P. M., with my two after- 

 riders and a spare horse, and rode about fifteen miles in a northerly 

 course, when we secured our horses to a bush, to leeward of which 

 we slept. On my way thither I dismounted on an arid plain to 

 breathe our steeds and dig up some bulbs of the water- root* for 

 immediate consumption, my thirst being very severe While 

 cantering along we passed several troops of hartebeests and 

 ostriches, and late in the day I observed a small troop of oryx. 



* This interesting root, which has doubtless saved many from dying of thirst, 

 'is met with throughout the most parched plains of tlv) Karroo. It is a large oval 

 bulb, varying from six to ten inches in diameter, and is of an extremely juicy 

 consistence, with rather an insipid flavor. It is protected by a thin brown skin, 

 which is easily removed with the back of a knife. It has small, insignificant 

 narrow leaves, with litjtle black dots on them, which are not easily detected by 

 an inexperienced eye. The ground round it is so baked with the sun that it has 

 to be dug out with a knife. The top of the bulb is discovered about eight or nine 

 inches from the surface of the ground, and the earth all round it must then be 

 carefully removed. A knowledge ot this plant is invaluable to him whose avoca- 

 tions lead him into these desolate region*. Throughout the whole extent of the 

 great Kalahari desert, and the vast tract of country adjoining thereto, an immense 

 variety of bulbs and roots of this juicy description succeed one another monthly, 

 there being hardly a season in the year at which the poor Bakalahari, provided 

 with a sharp-pointed stick hardened in the fire, can not obtain a meal, being inti- 

 mately acquainted with each and all the herbs and roots which a bountiful hand 

 has provided for his sustenance. There are also several succulent plants, having 

 thick, juicy leaves, which in like manner answer the purpose of food and drink. 



Above all, 'a species of bitter water-melon is thickly scattered over the entire 

 surface of the known parts of the great Kalahari desert. These often supply the 

 place of food and water to the wild inhabitants of those remote regions, and it ia 

 stated by the Bakalahari that these melons improve in flavor as they penetrate 

 further to the west. Most of these roots are much eaten by the gemsboks, which 

 ara led by instinct to root them out. The elephants also, apprised by their acute 

 *tnse of smell of their position, feed upon them, and whole tracts may be seen 

 plowed uo by the tusks of these sagacious animals, in quest of them 



