DIGGING FOR WATER 139 



found in the sand-covered rock-depressions 

 and these, albeit more than ordinarily frequent 

 in that section of the desert over which our 

 route lay, were nevertheless few and far be- 

 tween. The weather was hot; therefore the 

 horses, unlike oxen, had to drink at least once 

 a day. Even where it existed, water could 

 only be obtained by digging to a depth of from 

 five to eight feet ; then it had to be scooped up 

 in pannikins after having trickled in from the 

 sides and collected at the bottom of the pit. 

 Thus, even under favourable conditions, it took 

 about two hours' hard work to provide sufficient 

 water to quench the thirst of twelve animals. 



With cocked ears and anxious looks the 

 horses would crowd to where the smell of wet 

 sand told them that relief was near; it became 

 necessary to keep them off with a whip. Once 

 I narrowly escaped being badly hurt owing to 

 a mule flinging itself into a pit in which I was 

 digging for water. 



We decided not to delay on our forward 

 journey; therefore the various herds of game 

 seen in the distance were not interfered with. 

 We intended, after finishing our business at 

 Pella, to seek out some temporary oasis favour- 

 ably situated, pitch our camp there and spend 

 a few days shooting in the vicinity. 



