202 SIGNS OF WATER. 



In sinking wells in the beds of rivers in Africa, 

 I Lave had to construct basket-work gabions to 

 prevent the sand from falling in as fast as I dug 

 it out, and sometimes I have had to work very 

 cautiously on account of falling in with " quick- 

 sands." 

 g . f In searching for water, a line should 



be formed, and the most insignificant 

 sign must not be overlooked. The fresh track of 

 animals may be followed when they appear to 

 converge, more especially if different species 

 have passed over the ground in the same direc- 

 tion. Flights of birds should be watched, as the 

 feathered race generally drink morning and even- 

 ing ; whenever they are numerous, water cannot 

 be far off. 



All animals in a wild state make for water by 

 instinct, but when domesticated they generally 

 appear to lose the 5 faculty; although, sometimes, 

 I have seen horses, oxen, and dogs start off in a 

 bee-line to a pool of water in a country where 

 they had never been before. 



