When a Dutchman or a Namaqua wants to carry a load of ostrich eggs to or from the watering-place, or when he robs a nest, he takes off his trousers, ties up the ankles, puts the eggs in the legs, and carries off his load slung round his neck.  Nay, I have seen a half-civilised Hottentot carry water in his leather breeches, ties up and slung in the way I have just described, but without the intervention of ostrich eggs; the water squired through the seams, but plenty remained after he had carried it to its destination, which was a couple of miles from the watering-place.  In an emergency, water-flasks can be improvised from the raw or dry skins of animals, which should be greased down the back; or from the paunch, the heart-bag (pericardium), the intestines, or the bladder.  These should have a wooden skewer runing and out along one side of their mouths, by which they can be carried, and a lashing under the skewer to make all tight (fig. below).

[Sketch of bag with skewer and bag being carried].

The Bushmen do this.  The water oozes through the membrane, and by its evaporation the contents are kept very cool.  Another plan is, after having tied a length of intestine at both ends, to roll it up in a handkerchief and wear it as a belt round the waist.  The fault of these membranous bags, besides their disgusting character and want of strength is, that they become putrid after a few days’ use.

Vessels for Cooling Water may be made that shall also act efficiently as flasks.  Porous earthen jars are too brittle for long use, and their pores choke up if slimy water be put inside them.  But the Arabs use a porous leather flask, called a Zemsemiya, which is hung on the shady side of the camel, and by evaporation keeps the water deliciously cool:  it is a rather wasteful way of carrying water.  Canvas bags are equally effective.

Open Buckets, for carrying water for short distances, or for storing it in camp, may be made of the bark of a tree, either taken off in an entire cylinder, and having a bottom fitted on, or else of a knot or excrescence that has been cut off the outside of a tree, and its woody interior scooped out; or of birth bark sewed or pegged at the corners, and having its seams coated with the gum or resin of the pine-tree.  Baskets with oiled cloth inside, make efficient water-vessels; they are in use in France as firemen’s buckets.  Water-tight pots are made on the Snake river by winding long touch roots in a spiral manner, and lashing the coils to one another, just as is done in making a beehive.  Earthenware jars are excellent, when they can be obtained.

To prevent Splashing.—­When carrying water in buckets, put a wreath of grass, or something else that will float, on the water, to prevent it from splashing; and also make a hoop, inside which the porter may walk, while his laden hands rest on its rim:  the hoop keeps his hands wide from his body, and prevents the buckets from knocking against his legs.