98 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



resolution, if it had not been that I was perfectly 

 aware that I must do something to occupy my mind 

 and drive away care. 



After riding over a mile along a very heavy sandy 

 road, I came to an open meadow, well wooded on either 

 side, with a stream in the middle ; and believing that 

 the Boers would not inspan for an hour to come, I 

 resolved to ride up one side of it and down the. other. 

 Bontebuck and Bob were my companions, both well 

 accustomed to a gun. We had not gone far when 

 several partridges (Perdrix Nataliensis] were flushed, for 

 all dogs that I have found in Africa appear to hunt 

 indifferently fur or feather. 



These birds are very much like the ruffed grouse of 

 North America, but are destitute of the wattles down 

 the neck; they lay well, are swift upon the wing, so, 

 where abundant, afford good sport. Their favourite 

 habitat is wooded kloofs, in which water is plentiful. 

 Their call is very peculiar, being more like the cackle 

 of the guinea-fowl than that of the partridge family. 

 Several quail were also flushed. As far as I can judge, 

 for I have not shot any yet, the latter are identical with 

 the quail of Southern Europe. Having a Martini-Henry 

 carbine with me, these small deer could chaff me with 

 impunity. 



But while thinking about the birds, I perceive Bob 

 going like a racehorse up the ravine, while Bontebuck 

 bounded up higher and higher with the hope of getting 

 a more extended range of vision, then suddenly down 

 went his head, and off he goes : game, reptile, or vermin 

 of some sort is certainly afoot ; but what can it be ? 

 Looking out for holes and the rider must do that 

 in South Africa I gave the pony the spur, and galloped 



