178 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
thirsty wanderer in these parts. In such a tank the 
water is reserved especially for man. No animal can 
get at it to consume or defile it ; and being protected 
from the rays of the sun, no vegetation finds existence 
there to decay and breed in it ; while at the same time 
it is preserved deliciously cool, and therefore supplies 
a pure and refreshing draught. There is an advantage 
in the reservoir being not too large, otherwise its con- 
tents might remain season after season, and become 
stagnant and foul. As it is, its supply is by no 
means contemptible, and it is renewed fresh from the 
windows of heaven year by year. 
Having eaten a little food, and filled our bottles, 
pots, jars, etc., with water, we ordered another march. 
Some time elapsed before all were on the move, but 
in the end move we did, though, as it proved, some- 
what slowly. Leaving the beautiful lawn already 
described, we entered upon plains of sand. Towards 
the evening we passed through a considerable forest 
of pretty large brushwood, but containing here and 
there some very good timber. Here it was only with 
very great difficulty we could sit upon our asses. 
Unsightly thorns hung across the path, precisely in 
a line with our eyes, threatening us with their hard 
sharp points ; in some cases the more to be feared on 
account of the poisonous juices they contain. A little 
forgetfulness might have led to serious injury. It was 
only with the greatest care that we could maintain 
our dignified position ; and, if there be a degree 
beyond the superlative, with still greater that we 
preserved our eyes. Our hands and faces sufi"ered 
from scratches long and deep. 
Emerging from this wood we passed over a tract 
