CHAPTER Vr. 
Effects of rain — Death of a lesser koodoo — Jungle folk — News from the 
coast — ^The Dumberelli Plain — Waller’s gazelle shot — Across the 
waterless Hand — Gazelle — Death of a leopard. 
When morning broke, it was apparent that no marching 
could be done, as the camel-mats were soaked through and 
through, and, if placed upon the camels, would have given 
them all terribly sore backs. So I determined to spend a 
long day after lesser koodoo. I sent the camels to the 
little oasis, which would now hold water after the heavy 
rain, and started in pursuit of the pretty animals I had 
missed the day before. 
The day was intensely hot, and after going for a couple 
of hours, I turned round to look for my water-bottle, when 
I discovered that both shikaris had forgotten it. Ever 
since that long thirsty march I imagined I wanted water 
at least every two hours, and if I did not get it, I began to 
cough and feel uncomfortably nervous. But if I had a full 
water-bottle with me, I would go the whole morning with- 
out touching a drop. I sent one of my shikaris racing 
home for it, and went on. 
We cut the spoor of oryx which appeared to have passed 
but a few minutes ago, so I thought I would follow them 
until I saw koodoo on their fresh tracks. Walk, walk, 
walk, through thin bush, through thick bush, over open 
grassy plains and stony ground. Those oryx did not stop 
for a minute, but they led us to some holes in the rock 
which contained rain-water. I put my head into a hole 
and lapped the precious fluid like a dog until I choked, so 
16—2 
