WATER BECOMING SCARCE. 333 



thousand pounds to throw away make incursions into 

 his grounds, and shoot or drive off the ornaments of his 

 preserves. 



I feel it a duty to mention this, as it may prevent 

 many from woful disappointment, and a fruitless expen- 

 diture of much time and money. 



As I have said, diker and stein-buck were plentiful 

 in this neighbourhood; where the little beauties get 

 water is a mystery. If not in the vicinity, they must 

 travel nearly thirty miles for it, and supposing they only 

 drink once in two days, their time, consequently, is pretty 

 well occupied going to and fro. 



Some wretched, half-starved bush-people visited the 

 wagon that evening. At first they were very timid, but 

 soon gained confidence. They brought several ostrich- 

 eggs full of water to sell. My knowing it to be obtained 

 by the sucking process prevented my availing myself 

 of their offer. But my people were nothing loth to 

 use it, so I made the hearts of these poor wanderers 

 of the desert happy by giving them some beads and 

 wire. 



Although Euby has had a considerable portion of 

 the water in my fachey, there are still remaining in it 

 a couple of gallons, whereas the guide's, driver's, and 

 foreloper's has long been empty. These people are so 

 improvident that they require looking after like children, 

 but as I am not an approver of carelessness, nor intend 

 being nurse-tender to them, they may suffer for their 

 want of forethought. Unfortunate Umganey has to be 

 inconvenienced by their conduct so blaming them, not 

 him, I took compassion, and gave him more than one 

 good drink. 



To learn to value water, a person has but to come here. 



