^[UTINY IN THE DESERT. 337 



We had tracked all day without water, and although 

 the cattle scarcely got two hours out of the yoke, our 

 progress was not what it should have been. The reason 

 of this was that we lost two hours by sticking in a dry 

 river-bed. At length it commenced to get dark ; but as 

 the guide did not propose it, I said nothing about 

 halting ; thus we toiled on till the Bechuana, who was 

 leading us, thought proper to give the order to outspan. 



I did not like the place, for it was in the middle of 

 an immense bed of reeds, and of all places we had passed 

 just the one to harbour lions. However, I resolved to 

 keep good fires, remain on watch all night, trust in 

 Providence, and keep my powder dry. 



Soon Umganey had my fire going, and all the 

 people commenced to crowd round it, without indicating 

 the slightest intention of lighting one for themselves, or 

 the one in front of the leading cattle. I remonstrated 

 at this neglect ; but although I set the example of going 

 into the reeds and dragging in branch after branch, the 

 others showed not the slightest disposition to do as 

 they were ordered. The making and keeping up the 

 front fire is the duty of the foreloper, and as this 

 worthy was paid by me for his services, I got hold of 

 him, and insisted on his attending to his work. After 

 some loss of time, he lit a little trifling bit of a fire, and 

 came back to mine to talk scandal, smoke, and make him- 

 self generally comfortable, and obnoxiously conspicuous 

 to myself. Again I insisted on his keeping up his fire ; 

 at first he refused to do so, but I suppose thinking that 

 I was not to be played with, went and put a few more 

 sticks upon it. As soon as the foreloper had gone, I 

 resolved that the guide and driver should make their 

 fires, and go and sit by them with the crew of Massaras, 

 w 



