OF TUE OLD WORLD, 317 



"We immediately set to work and broke up the 

 deer ; and, after reserving a portiou for present use, 

 sluDg the remainder by creepers to the branch of a 

 tree, tying a red pocket-handkerchief like a streamer 

 to keep off the vultures, who otlierwise would soon 

 have scented it out and left us nothing but the 

 bones. I also despatched one of the Mulchers with 

 the heads to the hut, as the horns were good, giving 

 him orders to collect some of his tribe to carry 

 down the venison, and leave the skins with my 

 servants. 



This little matter arranged, we followed up the 

 spoor of the bison, and in a little time fell in with 

 the trail of ' a large herd, which, from unmistakable 

 siftns, we knew could not be far in advance. 



It was very lucky that we came provided with 

 leech-gaiters, made of very fine long stockings, which 

 we wore over our ordinary hose and breeches, and 

 under the gaiters, as we found the land-leeches 

 swarming in the damp grass and rank vegetation. 

 These pests of the jungle are very insignificant in 

 size, not being above an inch in length, or thicker 

 than a knitting-needle, but when distended with 

 blood they attain double that length, and are about 

 as thick as a good-sized quill. They have the power 

 of planting one extremity on the ground, and poising 

 themselves erect to watch for prey, towards which 

 they advance rapidly by doubling up the body and 

 holding on with their head and tail. They are of a 

 yellowish-brown colo-ir, streaked with black, with 



