Page 89 - Adventures in Africa

C H A P T E R V.

A t daybreak Jan and I sot off, he as usual leading
the ox, while I walked ahead with my rifle, ready for

a shot. Our baggage consisted of a couple of skins
to sleep on, a stock of ammunition, a small portion ot
our remnant of four, tea, sugar, and pepper. We

had no fear of not finding food, as game of all sorts
was abundant, provided 1 kept my health, and was
able to shoot it,
I asked Jan what he thought of the ox which
looked remarkably thin.

“ No good!>J he answered; “ last till get back, but
not more— den him die."
I trusted that the poor animal would hold out as
long as lie supposed.

We rested at noon under an enormous acacia, of
the younger branches of which tho elephants are
apparently very fond. We saw that they were every
where twisted oft' to the height of about twenty-five

feet, which is as far as an elephant can reach.
Here and jihere, under the trees, were conical hills
twrenty feet high, built up for residences by the whit©

ants. Frequently they were covered with creeping