CHAPTER III 



THE SEARCH FOR MEAT DEATH OF THE ORYX THE 

 FLANK OF THE DUNE OUTWITTING A JACKAL 

 HENDRICK, MY GUARDIAN THIRST THE DISTANT 

 RAIN TYPHON THE SOUTHERN SIMOOM. 



DAYBREAK found us sitting close to 

 the candle-bush fire, for the air of morn- 

 ing was chill. Soon the kettle boiled 

 and coffee was prepared. Meat was badly 

 needed; we had eaten the last of the sand- 

 grouse on the previous day, and a diet of un- 

 relieved rusks is apt to pall. So we decided that 

 I was to take my rifle and, accompanied by H end- 

 rick, go forth in search of something to shoot. 



Hendrick and I shaped our course along 

 the western flank of the dune-tentacle close to 

 which we were camped, meaning to cross it 

 near its point of emergence from the main 

 dune. On reaching a suitable spot we climbed 

 to the top, a height of some twenty feet verti- 

 cally, and carefully scanned the plain on the 

 eastern side. The light was yet faint and, as 

 we were facing the east, otherwise unfavour- 

 able. While we lay prone a jackal shambled 



