SHORT OF WATER. 
429 
this thirst-land. The oxen, hollow and flat-sided, did 
nothing but low, and when outspanned kept on the 
track, and would not stand or eat a moment. The 
ground w T as so hot that the poor dogs to whom I gave 
water could not stand still to drink, but had to keep 
moving their feet; the velt is, if possible, gradually 
getting worse and worse, and it is three hard days to 
the next water. I was never before in such a strait, 
and the Masaras positively refuse to go with me, as they 
say there is no water. The fiend assuming the shape 
of a Masara, who was the cause of my leaving Nanta, 
by his assurance of green grass and abundance of 
water, vanished in the night, or I should have 
crippled him for life at least, and I have been forced 
into coming thus far to save the lives of my oxen, 
and people, and self; it has added another hundred 
miles to my journey back in search of my other 
wagon, and I must now give up the idea altogether, 
as I am sure my poor horse will never accomplish it. 
I place every confidence in the people I left in 
charge of the wagon; if they are alive they will 
bring it out, and if dead I could not bring the 
wagon out myself, but should most probably share 
their fate. I shall therefore do all I can to get out 
with what I have, a bird in the hand being worth two 
in the bush ; but this is but poor consolation for a 
loss of at least 500/. 
12th. —I dread more what I am just now about to 
undertake than I ever dreaded anything before. It is 
three long days to the next water; heavy sand most 
