A MIGRATION OF REPTILES. 417 



confidence in myself, and still more confidence in the 

 endurance and will of my tried little mare. By this 

 course I should save about forty miles, and reach Mr. 

 Mackenzie's at least three days before the wagon. 



I made my preparations quietly, filled my bag with 

 beltong and biscuit, my pocket with cartridges, and my 

 holsters with tinder, tobacco, &c., for it was quite as 

 probable as not that I should have to sleep out all night, 

 so that when we had advanced about two miles I told 

 Umganey that I was going, and that I held him answer- 

 able for everything until the wagon's arrival at Soshong 

 for which they were to make easy trecks. Pleased he 

 did not look, but he said nothing. So taking Euby in 

 hand I allowed her to choose her own pace, and cantered 

 on towards Bamanwatto, not drawing rein till eight or 

 nine miles were accomplished. 



While alone I had ample time for thought. Months 

 I had dwelt in this wondrous land, and the wonderful 

 country I was leaving rose before me as it is, and as it 

 will be, for to the end of time it can never be altered, 

 unless by other than mortal agency, for man cannot 

 make a home, cultivate, and progress without what this 

 land is almost destitute of water. 



On the higher ridges I traverse the silver-tree 

 (Leucodendron argenteum), familiar friend of Table 

 Mountain, makes its appearance, a proof that I am 

 getting either to higher altitudes or farther from the tro- 

 pics. A very curious sight caused me to halt for some 

 minutes. It was no less than a migration of those 

 extraordinary reptiles called by the French mille pieds. 

 The rain had caused birds and beasts in the most 

 miraculous manner to appear, and I suppose had a 

 similar effect on the reptiles. They were crossing the 

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