218 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



to say that I do not enjoy a well-cooked and well- 

 served meal when attainable. 



As is my rule, I was trudging along at the head 

 of the cavalcade, hoping that the distance was short 

 to the outspan and water. One of the curs was with 

 me, whose objection to shooting yes, and probably 

 his cowardice made him a staunch attendant on the 

 waggons. 



Well, this unworthy representative of a noble 

 race preceded me by a few .paces, and, to my utter 

 amazement, pointed something fancy such a brute 

 pointing and, as far as I could see, the sand before 

 him was as bare as a plank ! Rather out of temper at 

 the absurdity of the whole affair, I attempted to force 

 the dog forward, but go he would not ; the creature 

 seemed dazed as well as terrified. This was a new 

 experience ; yet, arguing that there is never a result 

 without a cause, I called out for Cigar, who fortu- 

 nately was near. In a moment after he joined me, 

 and as he did so, down came his twenty-foot driving 

 whip on the ground, and under where his formidable 

 weapon struck, in the agony of a broken back, 

 writhed one of the largest puff-adders I have almost 

 ever seen. 



I cannot say that the cur saved me from -being 

 bitten, or that, having been bitten, I should have 

 died ; however, the ill-bred, badly conducted, and 

 worse-looking dog deserved my thanks. 



.We had scarcely reached our camping-place 



