Not even their knowledge of the near presence of water availed to inspirit them in the least; probably they knew they would have to wait for hours at the tank, when they arrived, before their cravings for water could be appeased.

The thermometer to-day was 104 degrees in the shade.

When we arrived the horses had walked 131 miles without a drink, and it was no wonder that the poor creatures were exhausted.

When one horse had drank what little water there was, we had to re-dig the tank, for the wind or some other cause had knocked a vast amount of the sand into it again.

Some natives also had visited the place while we were away, their fresh tracks were visible in the sand around, and on the top of the tank.