When
The Men Were Sufficiently Refreshed They Returned For The Abandoned
Horses, Which Were Found Still Alive.
Had they scented water
somewhere and drank?
At the foot of the mountains, on the other side,
we later discovered much better water, and there we camped, our
horses revelling in the abundant pasturage.
After this rest we continued our journey, and next day came to the
edge of a virgin forest. Through that, the chief said, we must cut
our way, for the royal tribe never came out, and were never visited.
Close to the edge of the forest was a deep precipice, at the bottom
of which we could discern a silvery streak of clear water. From there
we must procure the precious fluid for ourselves and horses. Taking
our kettle and horns, we sought the best point to descend, and after
considerable difficulty, clinging to the branches of the overhanging
trees and the dense undergrowth, we reached the bottom. After slaking
our thirst we ascended with filled horns and kettle to water the
horses. As may be supposed, this was a tedious task, and the descent
had to be made many times before the horses were satisfied. My hat
served for watering pail.
Next morning the same process was repeated, and then the men, each
with long machetes I had provided, set to work to cut a path
through the forest, and Old Stabbed Arm went off in search of game.
After a two hours' hunt, a fat ostrich fell before his rifle, and he
returned to camp.
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