428 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



as a rule selected, owing to the depth of sand that has to 

 be traversed, and the sparsity of water. 



It is a true type of the country that it margins, for 

 it possesses vegetation, with little or no water. It is 

 strange that evidences of numerous springs and vleys 

 that existed in former days are constantly to he found ; 

 and old Bechuanas have assured me that they can re- 

 member that they always contained water. But where 

 is it now ? Drank up by the thirsty soil. 



Thus this route is seldom selected by the traveller 

 by wagon ; possibly more often by the equestrian. 



There is a famous hunter, whose exploits, if they 

 were written, would rival those of Gordon Gumming. 

 He fears not the lion by day, and it is said, not even by 

 night. I have killed all sorts of game, and to the grizzly 

 bear of North America I give the palm for destructive 

 qualities and vitality, and not a few of them have fallen 

 before my rifle ; but I must say, if men constituted as 

 I am will follow them or lions into the bush, when 

 darkness shrouds the landscape, they must be possessed 

 of far more pluck, or much better powers of vision, than 

 myself. 



To our story. The principal in it, Mr. Finnety, 

 was coming from Sechelle's to Bamanwatto. After the 

 manner of the country, he rode one horse and led the 

 other. At this vley he watered his animals, and 

 pursued his journey, doubtless hoping that night would 

 see him at the end of it. He had not gone more than 

 a mile beyond the water, when two lions sprang from 

 the bush on either side of the road, each seizing a horse. 

 The mount that he was on fell in a moment, and shot 

 him over its head ; but the hunter was on his feet in a 

 trivet. With the right barrel he killed the assailant of 



