Swelling hills and verdant wooded vales were seen on
one hand, while a great plain stretched before us, extending from the
banks of the river towards a chain of lofty mountains, whose summits
were rendered indistinct in the haze of the distance.
We crossed the stream, which we named East River, filling our flasks
with water, and it was well we did so, for in continuing our journey,
we found the soil become more arid and parched than we had expected; in
fact we soon appeared surrounded by a desert.
The boys were astonished at the altered appearance of the country, part
of which had been explored when we met with the buffaloes. I reminded
them of the difference of the season; that the expedition had been made
directly after the rains, when vegetation had clothed with transient
beauty this region, which, possessing no source of moisture in itself,
had become scathed and bare during the blazing heat of summer.
Our march proceeded slowly, and many were the uncomplimentary remarks
made on the `new country'.
It was `Arabia Petrea,' groaned one.
`Desert of Sahara,' sighed another.
`Fit abode for demons,' muttered a third. `Subterranean volcanic fires
are raging beneath our feet.'
`Patience, my good fellows!' cried I. `You are too easily discouraged.
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