Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/70

Wells that fill slowly when one deftly digs;
Stunted green bushes, pools of rainwater,
Where skeleton women drink from ostrich eggs;
And even springs where tall lush grasses grow.
Here the light zebra, and the swift wild ass,
Bound by elastic, and the shaggy gnu
Glares with red eye; here bristle porcupines;
Fussy ichneumon scuttles; ratels tumble;
Ash-hued coarse-haired anteaters with long snout
Lurk, like distortions of a curious dream.

My long life moves before me like a dream!

The cheerful bustle of the morning march!
Shouts of the driver; scuffling of loud beasts!
Delicious swims and baths in some lone pool,
With chestnut-colour'd leaves in the blue glass,
And gorgeous birds reflected as they fly!

Appears the dear wild nightly bivouac
In some dim forest,—I upon a couch
Of woven rushes, under a furr'd hide,