308 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
respect. The Bamangwatos are great beggars, and 
ask for everything for nothing, and have as yet 
brought nothing down to trade, which does not suit 
my book at all. 
We got through the thirst-land admirably, the 
weather being pleasantly cool. We made good 
play at nights. I never felt the want of water so 
little. The Masaras took us a good deal out of our 
way, and excited our hopes by saying that a large 
troop of elephants drank every night at a fountain 
not far distant. We bent our way there, and 
saw only old spoor; they had left with the last 
rains. 
My stud is now reduced to three — a woful 
falling off. I left Natal with seven, and purchased, 
at tremendous prices, four in Mooi Biver Dorp, three 
of which I still have, and the fourth I have sold. 
All my Natal nags are dead; one ox is dead, and 
two are lost. These are at present the extent of my 
losses, with the exception of two sheep ; but I have 
shot or traded nothing, so far, that will help to com¬ 
pensate me for them. 
We are all still in good health, but very anxious 
to get among the elephants, as the season is getting 
on fast. I have preserved the gemsbok heads, and 
they are now drying in the sun on the top of the 
wagon. They are good specimens of a rare and 
handsome antelope, fleet as the wind, enduring as the 
giraffe, and shy as the ostrich. 
It is intensely hot to-day, and my writing-desk is a 
