A Breath from the Veldt 



247 



the hopes of the future. We had now passed through a small bit of the " fly " 

 country, and emerged into a narrow strip of country between the Nuanetsi and 

 Lundi, uninfected by the pest, and known only to a few. 



From Fenter we learnt that there was hardly any game here, though a few 

 troops of all the common sorts frequented the neighbourhood, including a big 

 troop of Lichtenstein's hartebeest. He had, however, been here only a few 

 days, so couldn't speak very definitely. The natives of some hills to the north 

 had told him, he said, that there was much game in the Lundi basin, so I decided 



UGH ! YOU BRUTE, YOU SPOILT THAT SHOT ANYHOW ' 



to go there if, after seeing these men, I was satisfied as to the chance of a 

 rhinoceros being too remote. 



The water at the spot where we were now encamped was the very worst we 

 had struck. One end of the mud-holes was a salt pan, which was white and 

 glistening, and evidently much used by game at other seasons ; and consequently 

 if holes were dug and the water filtered into them it was so impregnated with 

 salt and mud that it was quite disgusting to drink, even when boiled. 



Van Staden, who had been suffering slightly from dysentery, now became 

 seriously unwell, and his removal to more healthy quarters was urgently needed. 



