A NEW FOLLOWER. 117 



most oppressive, the wind still northerly. We were 

 infested with myriads of common flies, which proved a 

 constant annoyance, filling tent and wagons to such a 

 degree that it was impossible to sit in them. I rode 

 out in the morning of the 11th, accompanied by an 

 after-rider, and shot two springboks, which we bore to 

 camp secured on our horses behind our saddles by pass- 

 ing the buckles of the girths on each side through the 

 fore and hind legs of the antelopes, having first per- 

 formed an incision between the bone and the sinews 

 with the couteau-de-chasse, according to colonial usage. 

 The Boers had informed me of a small fountain one 

 march in advance, where they recommended me to hunt 

 for a short time, and this place I intended to be my next 

 encampment. On the morrow we inspanned at earli- 

 est dawn, and trekked about ten miles in a northeast- 

 erly course across a barren, extensive plain, steering 

 parallel with the country frequented by the oryx. We 

 drew up our wagons at a place where some Boers had 

 been encamped. during the winter months. Here we 

 found a well with nothing but mud in it, I set to 

 work with the spade and cleaned it out, and presently 

 had good water for myself and people. I dispatched 

 one of my Hottentots on horseback to seek for water 

 in advance for the horses and oxen. He shortly re- 

 turned, and reported another deserted Boer encamp- 

 ment about a mile ahead, at which there was a stronger 

 fountain, but considerably choked with mud. Having 

 breakfasted, I removed my wagons thither, and en- 

 camped. This fountain will be ever memorable in the 

 annals of my African campaign, since on the following 

 day I was there joined by a unique and interesting 

 specimen of a Bushman, who has ever since faithfully 

 followed my fortunes through every peril and hardship 



