384 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



part in supervising my affairs, for as far as in my power 

 lies I trust to no one. Again, another strong, I may 

 say all-powerful, reason for travelling was well, the 

 reader may feel surprise at my reason, but whether or 

 not I will tell it it was once more to be among people 

 who understood what I said, and whose language I 

 could comprehend. If Morris had not broken down, 

 and in consequence been compelled to return home, we 

 might have remained here for an indefinite period. I 

 could have wished for nothing better ; he might have 

 killed the game, and I should have felt happy in his 

 enjoyment of the sport ; but to be alone, with no one 

 to talk to, no one to tell what you have done, what 

 adventures you have gone through, to sit by your fire alone 

 at night, to keep your watch, to eat your meals without 

 a person to speak to, is lonely work indeed, so lonely, 

 so dull, so sad, that if a man went mad under the cir- 

 cumstances, my verdict would be, " What might have 

 been expected." I am not rich, I have not much to 

 give, but I would have parted with that little to have 

 had Morris with me. 



Why the cattle were not up I have discovered to be 

 due to the for eloper, who had made up his mind that he 

 would have another night here. I am powerless to 

 prevent it, so must make a virtue of necessity. The 

 scoundrel has again been most insolent, and threatened 

 me with his assegai. May the Supreme Being give me 

 strength not to I hate to write the words take the 

 provoker's life. The temptation is strong, I may be 

 wrong in resisting it, and it may cost me my own in 

 consequence ; but then after all it is but for one very 

 weary to lay down his life, and for ever be at rest. 



Umganey's conduct has hurt me, but I must not 



