356 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



its utmost to get some more speed out of itself, but 

 found it was no use, but in doing so broke from its trot 

 the only pace it uses when pursued, unless much 

 exhausted and commenced a floundering gallop ; very 

 little of this sufficed to thoroughly wear it out. Poor 

 thing ! it looked at me with such pleading eyes that I 

 was very nearly leaving it ; but at the wagon meat was 

 required, for the buffalo was so far off we could not 

 take more of its flesh than would make a light load 

 for my attendants. 



If this eland had been accustomed to be driven all 

 its life, had it been a demure old milk cow, it could not 

 have behaved better. Thank goodness ! I was spared 

 the task of butcher, for the guide was only too glad to 

 relieve me of such a disagreeable job. 



This evening, soon after sunset, I witnessed an 

 extraordinary scene. Hearing a great many birds 

 calling at some distance, I looked up into the heavens, 

 and as high as they could possibly be and remain 

 within sight, were thousands and thousands of large 

 birds circling round. They were too far off for me to 

 distinguish what they were at first, but after a few 

 minutes, as if with one accord, they all closed their 

 wings and swooped down to the earth with the most 

 remarkable velocity, and lit upon the velt within a 

 quarter of a mile of the wagon, their numbers being 

 so great that they covered several acres. They were 

 damoiselle cranes. 



These Massara bushmen are not the least like the 

 bush-people of the south, for many are tall, handsome, 

 well-made men, with features quite the reverse of the 

 negro type, and do not speak with a click. In fact, many 

 of them possess very animated, intelligent, and agreeable 



