io8 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



me to be a freak of nature worth recording, for I 

 feel certain it is known to few except keepers of 

 zoological gardens or owners of menageries. 



As I had several milch cows with my cortege, there 

 was no want of milk ; and it was surprising what a 

 quantity the little beasts would consume, although 

 mixed with a goodly proportion of porridge made 

 from mealies or Indian corn. 



Of course, this diet could not go on for ever ; 

 but I was resolved to keep it up as long as possible, 

 before substituting cooked flesh, by this course hoping 

 to overcome their ferocity. I had prohibited any 

 person giving them blood and raw meat, under the 

 threat of suffering from my utmost displeasure ; and 

 I have reason to believe my orders were long obeyed. 



I had possessed my favourities about two months 

 for favourites they had truly become, being never 

 spiteful, and ever full of frolic and fun when they 

 were released, and allowed to enjoy themselves 

 about the camp fire, or obtain shelter from the sun 

 between the waggon wheels, when they were, with 

 one exception, most excellent friends with the dogs. 

 But this was not so much to be wondered at, for i 

 all animals associated in this common rendezvous on 

 terms of equality, with the exception of one, and 

 that one was the most unpopular brute, both with 

 man and beast, in the whole camp. Courage and 

 watchfulness were his sole recommendations good 

 and useful qualities, it must be acknowledged, in 



