CHAPTER XIV. 



BAKALIIIARI HUNTERS A GRATEFUL NATIVE. 



IF I had been aware of the heavy extent of sand 

 that was before us, and the little water to be 

 found in it, I doubt much that I should have 

 given orders for renewing our treck before a 

 heavy fall of rain had occurred. The consequence 

 -was that we got into difficulties before sundown, 

 from many of the oxen refusing to draw. How- 

 ever, by coaxing, accompanied by a due amount 

 of threats, at length we reached firmer ground. 

 But here, through losing the path, we became 

 puzzled, if not lost, in a large extent of thick 

 brush, which in many places exceeded in height' 

 the tilts of our waggons. Again a halt was called, 

 to endeavour to ascertain where we had left the 

 trail ; but the undergrowth being dense, this was 

 not discovered until too late, for the cattle, now 

 having become cold and stiffened from their pro- 

 longed inaction, refused to proceed. Thus we were 

 forced to make a night of it in as objectionable an'; 



