286 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AXD SPORT. 



rather broiled, kid. That finished, and a pipe smoked, 

 the medical cases were examined, and anything "was 

 done for their relief which could be effected in the 

 circumstances. Then, perhaps, weapons were ex- 

 amined, a strange song was sung, or a dance gone 

 through, and we departed to seek out new encamp- 

 ments, or to find the well to which our camels had 

 gone. Not unfrequently night would find us bewil- 

 dered in jungle, among perplexing rocks, or seeking 

 for the well, and no well appearing. In such cases 

 the fires of some encampment usually appeared after 

 dark, and, making our way to it as well as we could, 

 we supped there, and fell asleep beside a fire, watch- 

 ing the stars through the scanty covering of bushes, 

 with our gun for bedfellow, but gratefully acknow- 

 ledging that, after all, the Beluches were much better 

 than they got credit for being, that they, too, had 

 human hearts beating under their dusky skins, and 

 had been taught to keep faith with the stranger and 

 sojourner in their wild land. These were pleasant 

 days; many strange sights were seen and curious 

 adventures experienced. When compelled to keep 

 beside the baggage-camels, the journey had far less 

 interest. The slow wearisome swinging on the camel 

 became almost intolerable during the great blinding 

 and burning heat of the day. At the villages and 

 towns, of course, a different course of life was pursued. 

 Our tent there was pitched outside the walls, and 

 under some convenient tree, for, owing to their great 



