deep by 1 1/2 long and 1 foot wide.  By forcing this into the sand in the well and digging out the sand contained in it, and then patiently waiting with a pannikin for the small trickle of water creeping in from between the outside of the caisson and the sides of the rock-hole, then again forcing the box lower, and clearing out the sand above, now drained of its moisture, and repeating the baling process, we were enabled to drain the well of almost every drop it contained.  On first acquaintance with these wells a novice’s impulse would be to dig out the sand until the bottom was reached; but as the sand holds the water he would find himself with a nicely cleared hole, but cleared of sand and water alike.  Therefore, without some such makeshift as that already described one would be in the most unsatisfactory position of knowing that water existed, and yet of being unable to obtain any but a very small supply.  The natives use comparatively little water, since it is only for drinking purposes, washing being unknown, and as the water sinks in the well the sand is scooped out gradually and carefully and plastered round the sides of the hole, so preventing the inrush of sand.  Very often when they require a drink they bend down and suck up the water through a bunch of grass, which prevents the sand from getting into the mouth.

The water from the wells was always bad, and on first being brought to the surface was hardly fit to use; the camels would not, unless really dry, drink it until it had been exposed in our canvas troughs to the air for some time.  Lying stagnant perhaps for a year or more, protected by the sand, it is not to be wondered at that its flavour is not of the best.  Digging in the sand discloses all sorts of odds and ends that could not fail to contaminate the water.  It contains also—­derived, I suppose, from the sandstone—­a certain amount of iron, which I believe to have acted as a sort of tonic to us.  A many-tinted, bluish scum always floated on the surface and tea made with it turned as black as ink—­nevertheless it was quite good drinking.

October 1st and 2nd we spent at the well, working as above described, whilst Warri tended the camels a couple of miles away on a patch of weeds he discovered.  This weed which I have mentioned is the only available feed in this region—­without it the camels must have starved long since.  The plant somewhat resembles a thistle, but has a small blue flower, and when fresh forms the best feed.  So far, however, we had only seen it dry and shrivelled.  It is known to science as TRICHODESMA ZEYLANICUM.  This camp was the scene of a vicious onslaught on Charlie, made by the buck, whilst away looking for the plant from which to make a chewing-ball.  Taking Charlie unawares he nearly accomplished his escape.  Charlie, as it happened, was the very worst to try such tricks on, for he was the strongest of the party, and a very powerful man.  During the struggle the black-fellow