ABSTINENCE FROM LIQUIDS. 203 



In following up the trail of a wounded animal, 

 I have often come unexpectedly across a stream, 

 or pool ; as the loss of blood causes intense thirst, 

 and, if not disabled or too closely followed up, 

 most animals will seek for water, and even drink 

 until they fall dead. I have seen both antelope 

 and elephant do this. 



In some of the most arid parts of Africa, there 

 are certain plants full of sap, which antelope are 

 very fond of, and sometimes, in case of emergency, 

 1 have kept my mouth moistened, and my lips 

 from sticking together, by chewing the pulp. At 

 other times, when very hardly pressed, I have 

 drank the liquid contained in the paunch of 

 different animals I have killed. 



" Habit is second nature," and the more a man 

 drinks, the more he wants : a hunter should ac- 

 custom himself to drink at his morning and even- 

 ing meals only ; and he ought to be able to go 

 through a hard day's work, even under a tropical 

 sun, by only moistening his mouth from time to 

 time with a couple of spoonfuls of boiled water, 



