82 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



had been so oppressive that I was fairly done up, so 

 welcomed a "pick me up " in the shape of some spirits 

 and water with greater appreciation than ever I did 

 previously that most useful of restoratives. 



Many persons utterly condemn the use of stimu- 

 lants. I do not at the proper time and place. 

 Possibly this requires an explanation. When in the 

 hunting-field — id est, when actually in pursuit of 

 game — confine your libations to cold tea or coffee, 

 but when your work is over, a stiff glass of brandy 

 and water I consider almost an absolute necessity, 

 especially in a malarious country. In fact, I have 

 known more than one instance in which vertigo and 

 fainting has been prevented by a judicious use of 

 spirits. 



Matters had gone on smoothly in camp during 

 our absence. The Mantatees had learned to respect 

 and fear our Zulus, so had not given any trouble, 

 while a considerable reduction in their numbers had 

 been made by several having departed, ostensibly 

 for the purpose of bringing back ivory. If this 

 should be true, it will probably make our venture 

 remunerative. 



Having had a good sponge bath, donned 

 pyjamas, and lit my pipe, I contemplated with much 

 pleasurable anticipation the ensuing rest of a couple 

 of hours, when Sunday rushed into the enclosure 

 with his countenance suffused with beams of delight, 

 and such hurry in his progression that told distinctly 



