440 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



The following evening, soon after sunset, a new 

 moon was seen rising over the neighbouring hills. Its 

 crescent was not larger than a thread, but that was quite 

 sufficient to cause the boys to make a night of it, so 

 they did not sleep, and kept me from doing so by 

 their continued lullalooing and clapping of hands. 



Next day we trecked through very heavy sand, 

 between two ranges of hills. The slopes were covered 

 with trees, and the scenery pretty, but monotonous. 

 At eleven a.m. we reached the vley, where we expected 

 to find water, but it was dry. Nevertheless, we out- 

 spanned and rested for three hours. While eating 

 breakfast one of the crested slate -coloured birds always 

 associated by the natives with lions perched on a 

 neighbouring tree, and incessantly kept uttering its 

 discordant notes aw awe. As I knew no lions were 

 near, and that he was fibbing to try and frighten us, I 

 took up my Martini-Henry and fired. The distance 

 was too great to think I would hit the object of my 

 aim, but the gun was true, and my sight more correct 

 than anticipated, for the unfortunate fell to the ground, 

 with its body shattered into pulp. 



Next morning about ten o'clock we reached a large 

 vley. All, or at least a large proportion of old King 

 Sechelle's cattle were gathered here, for the Kaminyani 

 had been successful in their war against him, and had 

 even dared to change their tactics from those of defence 

 to those of aggression. Here the herds were supposed 

 to be safe, and a splendid troop they were, numbering I 

 should suppose several thousand. While asleep under 

 my wagon, a trader of the name of Solomon, accompanied 

 by an after-rider, arrived. He was en route to Eaman- 

 watto. The horse he rode was a magnificent roan in 



