388 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



off, and left me to get through the Great Thirst 

 Waste the best way I could. Umganey was with me, 

 it is true, but his countenance plainly indicated that 

 his sympathy was with the enemy. 



Delay was now impossible, so he and I inspanned 

 the bullocks, he foreloping and I driving. Ackerman 

 was on his worst behaviour ; he most determinedly 

 ran into every tree that was near. The axe conse- 

 quently was seldom out of my hands ; but I did not 

 shirk my labour, so that before dark we had accomplished 

 a long treck. 



Next day Umganey and I trecked and foreloped in 

 turns : the labour of the latter task no one can imagine. 

 The sand was loose, and came over the uppers of my 

 boots at every stride, while the parched bullocks moved 

 as if every step would be their last. Toward evening I 

 discovered that the runaways were following me ; their 

 desire to obtain food was doubtless the reason. So I 

 told Umganey that on no account were they to have 

 any of my provisions, and that neglect on his part to 

 attend to what I said would bring upon him my severest 

 displeasure. 



Worn out and heart-sick, soon after dark I lay down 

 in the wagon : the cover by this time had almost en- 

 tirely been worn or torn off it. I slept longer than 

 anticipated, and was awoke by the noise of voices 

 speaking. Shoving my hand under the pillow, I secured 

 my revolver, and quietly raising myself, looked out, and 

 there were the wretches, who cared not whether I lived 

 or died, eating my supplies. Again I had a mind to 

 shoot, but did not; instead, however, I sprang from 

 the wagon. In an instant the driver and foreloper were 

 into the bushes, aod out of sight, the big Kaffir sur- 



