Drinking-Places 163 



tion, setting out at dawn, and making a daily report 

 to me upon my awaking. 



At the time at which I have arrived in my narrative 

 I was in the south of the Angorii country, in a region 

 swarming with game, with only four drinking -places 

 within a radius of thirty -three miles. There were 

 forest lands, plains, hills, sandy or stony ground, in 

 short, the kinds of country and vegetation suitable 

 for all animals. My camp was near one of these 

 pools, and was placed almost in the centre of the 

 group. To avoid the native names of these pools, 

 names which are difficult to pronounce, I shall 

 designate them by their position. One was north of 

 the camp, about an hour and a half's journey away ; x 

 the others were to the south, distant the one from the 

 other, and different in expanse, namely, the large 

 south pool, which was within three-quarters of an 

 hour, and the nearer to me, and the small south pool, 

 which was two hours' march from our encampment. 

 During the early days of our occupation we visited all 

 the pools, and measured all the spoor with pieces of 

 straw. Animals' feet are like human faces there are 

 no two alike. Each day the men came to tell me 

 where animals had been drinking, and what kind of 

 animals, in case of doubt bringing their straw 

 measures. In a week's time we knew these animals 

 exceedingly well. What makes this kind of work 

 interesting is seeing with what perspicacity and high 

 spirits the natives are always ready to assist you. 

 My assistants were naturally selected from among 



1 About six miles. 



