Page 142 - Adventures in Africa

however, that by turning directly back we should have
to traverse the same region we had just passed over,
without finding game, and we should thus be disap­

pointed in obtaining food. This was not to bethought
of, I would be far better to go on to where we should
have every chance of finding it, Hans concurred

with us, and, as Jan was always ready to go forward,
on we went.
In consequence of being shaded from the rays of
the sun, we were better able to travel than usual

during the hot hours of the day. W e had reached
the part of the country where we had expected to
find the vlci; but, even though Jan mounted to the

topmost boughs of the tallest tree we could find,
when he came down lie declared that he could not
discover water.

W e therefore again pushed on, until we reached a
rocky hill, to the Summit of which we climbed- Not
a pool could we see cither to the north, east, south,
or west.

We were now getting both hungry and thirsty, for
we had exhausted the water we had brought in our
bottles. W e were convinced* however, that we must
be near the i‘lei, and that some rise in the ground

probably hid it from view. While looking about we
caught sight of some animals of the deer tribe, and
Harry and I arranged to go down to try and kill one

of them, while Hans and Jan were to continue the
search for water, and, should they find it, they were
to meet us at the foot of the hill, from which they
started.

Keeping ourselves among the rocks and shrubs and