270 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



lions and snakes. Such, a supposition is easily accounted 

 for in following the bird, a lion may have been en- 

 countered, or a snake nearly trodden upon ; but that it 

 is the honey the knowing little scoundrel is after there 

 is no 'doubt in my mind. Its perfect confidence in man is 

 extraordinary it will hover in your face, sometimes you 

 may almost imagine that it is going to light upon your 

 shoulder, after which it will fly forward a few paces, and, 

 by its actions and voice, do all in its power to keep at- 

 tracting your attention. It is customary, after robbing 

 the bees' nest, to leave some of the spoils as a reward to 

 the discoverer. 



Although I saw several different species of antelope, 

 I did not shoot at any, as the range within which they 

 permitted me to come was always very long. However, 

 I bagged my second pauw, a fine bird, but not so large 

 as its predecessor. 



On getting back to the wagon I found the black 

 bullock that I had purchased from the Count dead ; it 

 had never worked since the first day after leaving 

 Zeerust, and then only for a few hours. This was an 

 unmistakable case of lung-sickness, and I cannot help 

 believing that the vendor was aware that the beast was 

 ill when he sold it to me. It is disagreeable to suspect 

 people of dishonest practices at least, so we should call 

 such a transaction in England ; but in the centre of 

 Africa they deem victimising one another deserving 

 approbation, and a fit subject for future chaff. 



The poor little horse is also worse, its head more 

 swollen, while the perspiration drops from its flanks. 

 It will not leave the wagon, and when I make my 

 appearance follows me persistently about, even attempt- 

 ing to rest its head on my shoulder. It has a dreadful 



