xv WHERE A MAN CAN RAISE A THIRST 151 



words had seemed to beat in a rhythm of pain with 

 the tramp of our feet, and it was only by a supreme 

 effort of will that we had forced ourselves along, 

 every step a torturing tax on our flagging energies. 

 And now we had to return ! We roughly computed 

 that, in a direct line, we were about six hours' 

 journey from where my men were encamped, and 

 knew that only by ceaseless, hard tramping could 

 we hope to reach them before evening. The situa- 

 tion was not one to ponder on at leisure ; there 

 was nothing left to do but make a start, and that at 

 once ! 



About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Malingum, my 

 tracker, the lines of whose face were drawn with 

 suffering, told me that he was completely exhausted 

 and would rather stay where he was and run the 

 risk of dying than go on any further in the sweltering 

 heat, and Usufu, my boy, in a similar state of 

 collapse, decided to throw in his lot with Malingum. 

 My other tracker, Hyiah, and my cook seemed in 

 better fettle, so leaving the latter to take care of the 

 ' played outs,' and depositing all our ammunition, 

 save twenty cartridges each, in his charge, Hyiah and 

 I resumed our heart-breaking journey, bidding the 

 three be of good cheer until we returned with water. 

 On we foot-slogged there is no other word for it 

 making a bee-line for our camp, and taking care to 

 blaze the trees as we went, so that we should lose no 



