178 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
with large open patches. I got a long shot at an 
ostrich, but he was going like the wind. Treked 
far on into the night, and made the oxen fast, as 
their throats were too parched up to eat. 
October 1st— Got to some wells, called Batlanarmi, 
where we found a good supply of water in a deep 
hole. I enjoyed a good wash immensely this morning, 
as a damp cloth is all we have had for two days. 
Drew out the water in buckets for the horses, and 
then made a circular hole and poured away, having 
lots of hands, and passing the bucket from one to the 
other quickly, till we had about nine inches deep, and 
then brought the oxen six a time to drink, Kleinboy 
sitting on his hams with a sjambok to prevent them 
from trampling it all into mud ; by this means they 
all got a tolerable supply. The ladder by which we 
descended to the well was a tall camel thorn-tree 
with the branches lopped off, leaving about two feet 
to stand on. The Masaras stood on it, and we passed 
the zinc bucket from hand to hand. 
When the sun had gone down a little, inspanned 
again ; Swartz, John, Kleinboy, and myself, going on 
horseback for a giraffe. We soon saw seven going 
away leisurely, and cantered after them, trying to 
bring them near the wagons. I kept in the rear, 
with old Bryan pulling hard, when, unfortunately, the 
curb broke and he shot ahead, and I was alongside a 
large cow in 300 yards. My gun missed fire, and I 
had great difficulty in putting on another cap, having 
very little command of my nag. As I. was again 
