944 APPENDIX. 
ing the dreary plain we were now upon by singing some 
of our sprightliest Scottish songs. I soon found, however, 
that my vocal exertions were not well adapted for assuaging 
my thirst, which now began to be rather pressing, so I 
changed that amusement, some time after, for the more un- 
congenial one of chewing some of the leaden ball which 
remained in my girdle pouch, as I had often heard that 
lead is a great palliation of thirst. Our journey still con- 
tinued over an extensive sandy plain which left the horizon 
as level and unbroken as on the bosom of the trackless 
ocean, and its natural dreariness was greatly enhanced by 
the myriads of young locusts which literally covered it, and 
completely changed its colour. Not a bush or other object 
could we see to protect us for a moment from the scorching 
rays of a vertical sun; but the mirage flickering in the dis- 
tance, shewed us extensive lakes of clear blue water, which, 
ever and anon, as we approached, vanished, and 
“* Left not a wrack behind !” 
Our situation now became anything but enviable, and 
I would have given anything to have got rid of the burden 
of my gun and bandalier. Our feet began to get completely 
toasted in the burning sand, cracked and bled profusely, 
while our mouths became as dry as a furnace, rendering it 
rather dangerous to converse with one another. We were 
surprised that the Griquas, who had rode out before us, did 
not come to our assistance with some water, as they had 
promised to fill the sheep’s paunch with that valuable — 
element, and meet us on the way. However, on at last. 
reaching the spring, more dead than alive, we found that 
they had only arrived but a few minutes before us, their 
horses being quite spent. One of them was Just filling the 
paunch with water, and immediately trudged off with it on 
his shoulder to the aid of the poor woman and Hottentots, 
Fiance IROL 
