But Karemba required a great deal of suasive coaxing.
A present or two, however, had more influence than words,
so after a little reflection he consented.
John did not like the proceedings. He looked upon me
with saddened eyes, as I packed up the few articles that
it was essential we should take. When all was ready, I hade
him a hearty “ good-bye,’ telling him to keep up his spirits,
and to have his eyes wide open in looking after the things.
I did not know where I was going, but I felt an undefinable
confidence that the journey would be attended with success.
A few of the Unyamwenda sat sulkily beside the path
which led to the water, watching as we started blithely off
at a swinging gait.
Crossing upon the black polished boulders of the Waynge
river, we climbed the hilly bank to the north; thence we
turned in a north-easterly direction, and in a little time
entered the deep recesses of the surrounding mountains.
CHAPTER VII.
FROM, THE WAYNGE RIVER TO THE UMVUKWE MOUNTAINS.
Sebaii the orator—Appearance of the country—The Euia river—“ Igova,
Muliliti ”—The solemnity of snuffing—Fortunate shooting—“ Ten
thousand devils, John and Sagwam dead! ”—The treacherous Unyamwenda—
An early start—Effects of a sudden appearance—John in
despair—Astonishing the disturbers—Lucky help—Necessity for quick
progress—Visit to Muliliti, the chief—His home circle—The ’cute old
dodger Sandani—Feet torments—Marshy country—New carriers and
a new guide—A marrow-bone feast—Endurance of natives on the
march—Signs of lions—The Umzengezi river—Discouraging news—
Humours of roll-call—Splendid view from the Umvukwe mountains—
' Solitude.
The advancing party consisted of Karemba, four men, and
old Sebaii, who carried his wooden pillow, also the general
utility saucepan and small kettle, which likewise served as
a teapot, or anything else in the way of a drinking or
liquid boiling utensil, it mattered not what.
Utterly useless as a guide, and very indifferent as a
carrier, Sebaii was a fine specimen of a Mashona fireside
orator, magnificent in his talk, a prince of humbugs, and an
unrivalled snuffer and peacemaker. He had been enlisted
at Unyamwenda, but in reality had no connection with
that town. I was glad to get him, especially because I
had not the faintest notion of the character of the country
into which fate would lead me, nor of the monsters of the
human species whom I might encounter.
As we looked back upon the route we had traversed, we