284 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
base, and tapering off beautifully. There is an 
eternal sameness across this vast desert, and hardly a 
head of game ; but, luckily, we have a goodly supply 
of giraffe, and I am driving two fat goats along for 
slaughter, whenever the former comes to an end. 
Eight Kaffirs make fearful inroads into it, boiling, and 
broiling, and baking on every possible opportunity; 
that is, whenever we have a fire. I am decidedly 
better, but very weak, always feeling a great incli¬ 
nation to lie down, and the ]east exertion entirely 
prostrates me. I sit in the wagon propped up with 
pillows and skins, but my appetite is fast returning. 
I have engaged two Maccalacas Kaffirs, smart, able 
fellows, to go down to Natal with me, and am well 
provided with good Kaffirs, which is a great thing 
in treking. 
31s£. — Caballa .—We are now within three days 
of Machin, the chief of the Bamangwatos, but our 
difficulties are not yet over, as I hear to-day we shall 
find no water along the whole road. This is the 
worst season of the year to cross the Kalahari desert, 
for not a drop of rain has fallen for many months. 
I have not, however, been treking all the time. I 
have, somehow, lost two days during my illness, as I 
know by comparing the age of the moon with an 
almanack which I have with me. We have found 
water five times since Saturday the 17th, and I 
remained a day each time to refresh the oxen. Once 
the water was only sufficient for two horses and 
eleven oxen. Pioneers, with spades, went out a day 
