Two May Be Often Seen Joined In Their Flight,
The One Holding On By The Tail-Forceps To The Neck Of The Other.
On First Observing This Imperfect Insect, I Imagined The Forceps
Were On Its Head; But When The Insect Moved, Their True Position Was Seen.
The forest, through which we were slowly toiling, daily became more dense,
and we were kept almost constantly at
Work with the axe;
there was much more leafiness in the trees here than farther south.
The leaves are chiefly of the pinnate and bi-pinnate forms,
and are exceedingly beautiful when seen against the sky;
a great variety of the papilionaceous family grow in this part of the country.
Fleming had until this time always assisted to drive his own wagon,
but about the end of March he knocked up, as well as his people.
As I could not drive two wagons, I shared with him the remaining water,
half a caskful, and went on, with the intention of coming back for him
as soon as we should reach the next pool. Heavy rain now commenced;
I was employed the whole day in cutting down trees,
and every stroke of the axe brought down a thick shower on my back,
which in the hard work was very refreshing, as the water found its way
down into my shoes. In the evening we met some Bushmen, who volunteered
to show us a pool; and having unyoked, I walked some miles in search of it.
As it became dark they showed their politeness - a quality which
is by no means confined entirely to the civilized - by walking in front,
breaking the branches which hung across the path, and pointing out
the fallen trees.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 269 of 1070
Words from 77396 to 77683
of 306638
