camping ground, and overtaking the party under the vast
shadow of the mournful rocks at the nearest point to the
town.
On that memorable retreat the Mashona marched faster
than they had ever done before, and all in close order, one
treading upon the other’s heels. Once, just at the point
where the path took a bend, the bark of a dog was heard,
immediately causing the men to push on at an extraordinarily
rapid rate.
A small river that ran past the southern end of the town,
beside the maize gardens, and close to a number of stake
nets set for game, had to be crossed. This was a much
to be dreaded point in the event of hostile action. There
were only two small poles to cross over.
Excepting the accident of two men falling in, we soon
got well over to the other side. Before penetrating the
forest we made a short halt for rest, and it was with
slight satisfaction that I looked back. True, we had
come successfully out of a difficulty; but then we had
worked so hard to get here, and what a disappointment!
We had yet a long distance to go before we were out of
this wretched country. A feeling of relief had just cheered
us when we knew that we were within a few days’ journey
of the Zambesi, and now we were turned relentlessly back.
Deeply and strongly did I invoke all the chastising gods to
visit condign punishment upon the suspicious and stubborn
Chuzu.
I said just now “ this wretched country.” Experience
certainly made it so to us. Tet even under the pall of
disappointment, as I looked back upon the landscape I
could not help being struck with its boundless beauty,
expanding silent, varied, and lovely under the pearl-like
light of the cloudless moon, and showing the great moun