48 THE GUIDE SHOBO. 



called Matlomagan-yana, or the "Links/' is quite a chain 

 of these never-failing springs. As they occasionally be- 

 come full in seasons when no rain falls, and resemble some- 

 what in this respect the rivers we have already mentioned, 

 it is probable they receive some water by percolation from 

 the river-system in the country beyond. Among these 

 links we found many families of Bushmen; and, unlike 

 those on the plains of the Kalahari, who are generally of 

 short stature and light yellow color, these were tall, strap- 

 ping fellows, of dark complexion. Heat alone does not 

 produce blackness of skin, but heat with moisture seems 

 to insure the deepest hue. 



One of these Bushmen, named Shobo, consented to be our 

 guide over the waste between these springs and the country 

 of Sebituane. Shobo gave us no hope of water in less than 

 a month. Providentially, however, we came sooner than 

 we expected to some supplies of rain-water in a chain of 

 pools. It is impossible to convey an idea of the dreary 

 scene on which we entered after leaving this spot : the only 

 vegetation was a low scrub in deep sand ; not a bird or in- 

 sect enlivened the landscape. It was, without exception, 

 the most uninviting prospect I ever beheld ; and, to make 

 matters worse, our guide Shobo wandered on the second 

 day. We coaxed him on at night, but he went to all points 

 of the compass on the trails of elephants which had been 

 here in the rainj'' season, and then would sit down in the 

 path, and in his broken Sichuana say, "No water, all 

 country only; Shobo sleeps; he breaks down; country 

 only," and then coolly curl himself up and go to sleep. 

 The oxen were terribly fatigued and thirsty; and, on the 

 morning of the fourth day, Shobo, after professing igno- 

 rance of every thing, vanished altogether. We went on in 

 the direction in which we last saw him, and about eleven 

 o'clock began to see birds; then the trail of a rhinoceros. 

 At this we unyoked the oxen, and they, apparently know- 

 ing the sign, rushed along to find the water in the river 

 Mahabe, which comes from the Tamunak'le, and lay to the 



