THE MONKEYFOLK OF SOUTH AFRICA 93 



and had tied me up, and left me to be fed by the Kafirs. I 

 know now that he went away because he couldn't bear to 

 see me suffering, and hear my piteous cries for water. 



HOW WE FOUND WATER 



The following morning my master came along, and un- 

 fastened my chain. I instantly rushed off and examined 

 every bucket and cup, but alas ! not a drop of water could 

 I find. In baboon language I pleaded and implored my 

 master to give me water. Instead, he walked off across 

 the veld, beckoning me to follow. I did so, and ran about 

 in all directions, hoping to find some watery bulbs, but the 

 soil was dreadfully parched, and even the hardiest vegeta- 

 tion was shrivelled. Following the dry bed of a spruit, we 

 came to a large hollow, which seemed to have once been 

 a pond. I instantly smelt water, and began to dig franti- 

 cally in the soil at a certain spot, where I knew by my keen 

 sense of smell there was water. My master hurried off, 

 and presently returned, accompanied by two Kafirs, with 

 picks and shovels. Thrusting me aside, they began digging. 

 After going down about six feet, water began to run into 

 the hole. Dropping their picks and spades, the Kafirs 

 greedily gathered up the muddy water in the palms of 

 their hands, and although it was as thick as cream, they 

 swallowed it. Then my master allowed me to jump in the 

 hole. I have never tasted such delicious fluid, before or 

 since. I suppose I must have swallowed at least a pound of 

 mud. Nobody but those who are almost dying of thirst 

 can have the slightest idea of the heavenly sensation one 

 feels at such a time when drinking water. 



The Kafirs with renewed energy dug the hole much 

 deeper, and presently we had the pleasure of seeing a pool 

 of water about two feet deep. 



Carrying the water in buckets, the oxen were led into 



