SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. 31 



are strong and tractable and can if necessary go three or four days 

 without water. 



Wagons are of three types, namely : tented, half-tented and buck 

 (i. e. bare). 



A tented or full-tented wagon is 18 feet long and for some 16 feet 

 of that distance is surmounted by a convex wooden frame and 

 canvas roof. The internal cross-measurement of the tent is from 

 5 feet 6 inches to 7 feet and it is from 5 feet to 6 feet above the 

 boards. A wagon of this description makes a magnificent caravan 

 and can be fitted with boxes, folding beds, chests of drawers and 

 any convenience that may be desired. As a travelling vehicle in 

 which to reside and carry one's personal belongings nothing better 

 could be desired, but it is unsuited for carrying other loads as it 

 is very awkward to pack and unpack. 



A half-tented wagon has a hood about 6 feet 6 inches long 

 over the hind wheels, closed fore and aft by movable sails. The 

 tent usually carries the traveller's bed a spring mattress or 

 so-called w katel" placed crosswise and his personal equipment. 

 The tent is perfectly weatherproof and, as nothing in it need be 

 moved, one can if desired sleep in it while the wagon is trekking. 

 For a single traveller the half-tented wagon is an admirable vehicle, 

 as the load goes on the untented portion and is easily accessible, 

 while his own bed and belongings remain undisturbed in the tent. 

 In hot malarious countries the latter should be lined with green 

 baize and its ends provided with movable mosquito curtains. For 

 long journeys through thorn scrub and bush, where an ordinary 

 wagon tent is liable to be torn to pieces, it may be advisable to 

 replace canvas by thin sheets of galvanised iron, painted white so 

 as to prevent excessive absorption of heat. A w tent" of this nature, 

 lined with green baize, is, if anything, cooler than canvas and 

 outlasts the wagon. 



A buck" wagon is a plain untented colonial wagon unsuited to 

 any purpose except the conveyance of goods. 



All three types of wagon are made in various sizes, the heaviest 

 being used for oxen, the medium for donkeys and the lightest for 

 mules. A strong 18-feet wagon will carry anything up to 1 2.000 Ibs. 

 but in ordinary circumstances the maximum load is about 6.00U Ibs. 

 For carrying heavy loads through sandy country wagons are some- 

 times fitted with broad-flanged iron or steel wheels, but this will 

 probably never be necessary with explorers' wagons. 



The cost of wagons has increased enormously of recent years 

 Thus, whereas before the great war, a "buck" wagon could be 



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