138 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



pointment and vexation of spirit, even when the 

 solid bullet is used. Under such circumstances 

 nothing equals the Martini- Henry, when the ex- 

 tractor and action work freely ; but remember, I say, 

 when ! 



But to return to my subject. The cause that 

 had produced such a panic among the game I now 

 learned was from a large mob of cattle, with a gang 

 of attendants, passing over the veldt, a mile or so to 

 windward. 



Being well satisfied with my day's experience, I 

 turned homewards, but what was my disgust to find 

 that the mare had taken herself off, and in no 

 direction could I see her. I discovered her spoor 

 in places among that of the game, which I doubt 

 not but she had joined, and the length of the tire- 

 some creature's stride, as indicated by her tracks, 

 was sufficient evidence to inform me that she had 

 broken or slipped her knee-halter. 



Now I was thoroughly between " two stools." 

 If I followed the truant, and she led me " a wild- 

 goose" chase of some hours before she was captured, 

 before I returned the vultures would have destroyed 

 all my game. If, on the other hand, I returned to 

 the game and made it secure from the attacks of 

 these useful but often troublesome birds, I should 

 afterwards have to tramp it to the waggons, when it 

 would probably be too late to send for the meat that 

 day, and on the morrow it would doubtlessly be 



