78 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



contemplated, so you might rest assured that all 

 would be found close by when day broke. The 

 horses were not so submissive, although they were 

 between the waggons ; the vivid flashes seemed to 

 frighten them beyond control of human agency, 

 and but for the strength of their halters they would 

 soon have been careering over the veldt. When I 

 say horses, I make a mistake, for there was one 

 notable exception in his conduct to that of the others. 

 It was old Moke, who had his muzzle deep in his 

 nose-bag, and crunch, crunch, crunched his mealies 

 as if the outer world and the disturbances that sur- 

 rounded him were quite of minor importance as 

 long as he was permitted to uninterruptedly enjoy 

 his repast. If philosophers exist among horses, 

 then that horse was one, for most thoroughly did 

 he believe, and act up to the belief, that it was time 

 enough to discontinue gratifying his appetite when 

 he was prevented from doing so. 



BUSHMAN KRAAL. 



