MARCH FOR BAMANGWATO. 241 



CHAPTER XIIL 



The Guides try to mislead me — The Cattle and Horses dying from 

 Thirst — Search for Water — Melancholy Anticipations — Directed to a 

 Pool by the Flight of Birds — Chase and kill a Giraffe — Wandering 

 Bechuanas point out my right Course — Miserable Condition of the 

 Natives — Game Pitfalls — Mimosa Grove smashed by Elephants — A 

 Rhinoceros charges me — Abundance of large Game — Lost in the 

 Forest. 



On the morning of the 16th a large party of Caachy's 

 men were still encamped beside us, and were under the 

 impression that they had succeeded in prevailing upon 

 me to follow them. Having filled all my water-casks, 

 I ordered my men to inspan, the Bechuanas cracking 

 their jokes and fancying that I should ride east as they 

 led ; but, to their astonishment, having inspanned, I 

 told them that they had better all return to their cap- 

 tains, as I would shoot no more game for them, and I 

 then ordered my men to ride for a conspicuous tree in 

 the distance, bearing N.N.E. The Bechuanas sat still 

 for some time to see how I would steer, and presently 

 they shouldered their assagais and followed in our wake. 

 This was a bold step on my part: the country looked 

 very unlikely for water, and the Bechuanas swore that 

 there was none for seven days' journey in that direc- 

 tion. Our march lay through a boundless forest, with 

 no hill or landmark to give me an idea where to search 

 for water. Fortune, however, followed me here as 

 usual: if I had lived all my life in the country, I could 

 not have taken a more direct course for the spot I wish- 

 ed to reach. After we had proceeded some miles, a 



Vol. I.— L 



