36 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



it required a practised hand to follow the spoor ; still 

 there was no abatement of pace, and God knows it 

 looked to me like going on so for ever, so I insisted 

 on a halt, not more for my own sake than for 

 Selwin's and Dillon's. 



Flesh and blood can stand a good deal when 

 put up in the shape of a white man, but natives, 

 when undergoing such an ordeal as the present, can 

 endure a great deal more. Never shall I forget our 

 respective appearances when we halted ; each 

 was dripping with perspiration, while the clothing 

 on our backs looked as if it had been dragged 

 through a river. Then the consumption of water 

 that took place was marvellous. Satisfying our 

 thirst seemed impossible, and how precious and 

 delicious each mouthful tasted as it passed into our 

 parched throats. The most precious wines of the 

 most delicate vintages cannot possibly afford such 

 delight to connoisseurs ; if it does, well can I pardon 

 them indulging to excess. 



But our attendants were not idle while we were 

 taking our rest ; in fifteen minutes, or less, the spoorers 

 returned with the information that the elephants 

 were here and there feeding, and, consequently, not 

 travelling so rapidly. On hearing the latter portion 

 of this news how devoutly I uttered " Thank good- 

 ness " may be imagined. 



After this halt I seemed to get second wind, 

 which actually made me feel more fit than I did at 



