GRYSE STE1NBUCK. 
395 
and set off again to meet the Batokas, at break 
of day, accompanied by January carrying my blanket 
and a little spare ammunition, and got on well 
for a long distance, recognising many objects I had 
before noticed. At less than half the distance I got 
wrong. Eventually, by great perseverance, I got 
right again, and kept the direction for miles through 
thick bush, heaps of tsetse, and heavy sand, and at 
length reached the Batoka encampment — to find it 
deserted. Weary and jaded, we made some faint 
efforts to hit off their spoor, but lost all heart, as they 
had set the grass on fire in a hundred places, and the 
whole country looked as dreary and wretched as you 
can imagine. We retraced our weary steps till dark, 
when we made a fire and slept, and got back again 
last night, not a little proud of finding our way. 
My hopes of reaching the Zambesi, even on foot, are 
fied. The only consolation I have had is that I have 
shot another variety of antelope new to me, the gryse 
steinbuck. I had often heard of him, but had never 
seen him before; and now I know of but one single 
antelope that I have not myself shot, but must con¬ 
tent myself with a bought specimen — I mean the 
nakong. 
31st. — I am all alone. Boccas started yesterday 
into the fly country, and my other driver has been 
long there. I am off to-day to the Chobe river, two 
and a half days ahead, and shall endeavour to get 
through the fly in the night, the moon being now at 
the full ; at all events, I will chance a pair of horses. 
