396 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



passed. Surprised, yet desirous of finding out whether 

 we were being followed by the brutes, I went several 

 hundred yards farther, and became assured such was the 

 case. 



Eeturning, I informed Umganey and "William the 

 Kaffir of my discovery ; there was nothing to be appre- 

 hended from them by daylight all agreed, but at night 

 and we should have to treck the greater portion of it, 

 or we would not reach water on the morrow we should 

 have to be additionally careful. 



A little piece of luck here occurred ; we were over- 

 taken by a party of Macalacas and Mashoonas going to 

 the Diamond-fields. For food they were willing to 

 accompany us and give us any assistance required. 

 Thus I got a foreloper and a man to lead the mare, 

 with several others that could be utilised in any manner 

 desirable. 



Our first night-treck was commenced immediately 

 after sunset. One of the new people walked in front of 

 the foreloper with a lantern, Huby was led behind the 

 wagon by another, then the rest of the people, Umganey 

 just behind them with the other lantern, and myself 

 last, armed with my double gun. 



That the lions were about us all night I am certain, 

 for the bullocks and the mare were constantly showing 

 signs of great alarm, and poor Bonty, who happened to 

 leave the road, got a blow from something that cut his 

 head open, causing him to sing out most emphatically, 

 and seek the shelter of the wagon, which he carefully 

 avoided leaving till break of day. 



As the journey was a short one to the next drinking- 

 place fourteen or fifteen miles I went on, leaving 

 instructions to be followed by the wagon. The day was 



