6 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



who, from his acquaintance with business in all parts 

 of the world, soon understood my requirements. The 

 only difference of opinion we had was that he wished 

 me to have large-bore rifles instead of large smooth- 

 bores. However, like a wilful man, I had my way. 



My order was, four ten-bore double-guns to shoot 

 ball, two eight-bore double-guns also to shoot ball, four 

 Martini-Henry carbines. And, at the partner's request, 

 an eleventh gun was added to what, I am certain, 

 the reader will consider already a most formidable 

 armament. This addition was a single-barrel four- 

 bore rifle in fact, shooting a quarter-of-a-pound 

 bullet ; it happened to be in stock at the time, being 

 one of a number made by the firm for the cele- 

 brated traveller and great elephant-hunter, Petherick, 

 of White Nile reputation. With the exception of the 

 last, each gun I saw built, shot, proved, &c. &c. ; and, 

 although it cost me many trips to Birmingham, I was 

 amply paid for the trouble by the results. 



Through the same firm, I ordered twenty thousand 

 rounds of ball-ammunition, one hundred pounds of gun- 

 powder, five hundred pounds of pig-lead, and five hundred 

 pounds of shot. Of course, even if our trip lasted the 

 contemplated two years, we did not expect to fire such a 

 quantity of cartridges away ; but for trading, purchasing 

 food, &c. &c., gunpowder and lead are more attractive 

 to the aborigines than any other article you can offer 

 them. Beads and such gewgaws are now played out 

 among the natives of South Africa the most gaudy and 

 fascinating colours scarcely evoke an expression of their 

 admiration ; so that those who stock themselves with 

 these heavy and cumbrous articles, believing that they 

 can buy ivory, ostrich feathers, &c., with them, will 



