314 Men, Mines, and Aniimals in South Africa 



tAvo or three hours' trek brought us to our 

 midday halt. This lasted three, four, or five 

 hours, according to the heat of the day. If the 

 temperature Avas moderate, we generally contrived 

 to manage three afternoon treks ; but often on 

 the road south, the heat at midday was so great 

 and the sand so heavy that only two treks, and 

 sometimes only one, could be accomplished. The 

 midday outspan was occupied with bathing, 

 toilette and ^preparation of dinner. Our cook had 

 been dismissed at Tuli, and the kitchen depart- 

 ment had fallen into my hands. No very great 

 variety in our repast was obtainable. Mutton 

 boiled, baked, or curried, tinned soups, excellent 

 when flavoured with Harvey or Worcester sauce, 

 "bully beef," preserved vegetables, compose the 

 daily meal. Fresh vegetables and fresh bread 

 Avere sadly missed, but the former were not to be 

 procured, and none of us had acquired the art of 

 baking break. At times these midday halts were 

 enjoyable when we were fortunate enough to hit 

 upon a pleasant locality on the banks of a river 

 and under shady trees. But when, as was often 

 the case, water and shade were conspicuous l)y 

 their absence, when one was melted by the heat 

 and persecuted by the flies, passing the hours was 

 weary work, and the cool of the evening was 

 anxiously longed for. Between eight and nine 

 p.m. the day's journey terminated, thirty to forty 

 miles having been generally accomplished. A 

 rough supper hastily bolted, a still more hurried 

 retirement to bed, five brief hours of slumber 



