boys bad an opportunity, tbey would disappear, so tbat
they migbt watcb their little winged Mends, the white-
backed honey guides (Indicator major), the unfailing pilots
to Nature’s sweetest stores. The honey was remarkably
good, with a strong flavour of wild flowers.
From the TJmvuli river we had been followed by lions.
They could be heard at night, but did not come close to
the waggon.
We were now within two days’ journey of Selous’ farthest
h u n t i n g camp to the north-east. Crossing two small rivers,
the Same and Karemwe, we took a course more to the
north, cutting our way through low, light forests, until we
emerged into a beautiful open, park-like country. The
variegated colouring on the trees, that hemmed us in on
every side, was very striking.
Away in the far distance we could faintly see the smoky,
yellow haze of the prairie grass fires, lit by the Mashona
people. Towards the north-east could be seen the distant
leaden outline of the Umvukwe mountains, towering high
above the level of the plateau. Of these mountains we
were destined to know much in the future.
A long and very fatiguing trek, tiresome alike for men
and oxen, brought us to a suitable spot where we pitched
camp, just as the light of parting day was throwing its
darkening shadows from the great forest trees, which surrounded
the position.
Another step of the journey was accomplished. We
were now upon my friend Selous’ deserted hunting camp
of 1883, situated at an elevation of 4050 feet above the
sea, and on the southern bank of the Hanyane river; the
banks of which were clothed with high forest, shutting out
our view to the north. Taroman, with the sheep, and two
foot-sore oxen were missing.
Our present position was very far in the interior, so far
indeed that henceforth the journey would be a course of
exploration.
What a sombre and dreary scene surrounded us, with its
quietness undisturbed, even by the slightest tremor in the
voiceless a ir ! X sat on the front box of the waggon,
waiting to make an observation for latitude. Looking
at the flickering flames of fires, around which the boys
lay fast asleep, I could see that the little hunting camp
had become grass-grown, with wild hemp intermingled,
while a rich garden of pumpkins studded the ground,
and creepers innumerable, and of every description, hung
gracefully from the boughs, kissing the tops of the grass
sugar-loaf huts, which rose slightly above the netted
vegetation.
I succeeded in getting two successful observations for
latitude, and the following day was devoted to fixing the
longitude, finding the variation of the compass, and arranging
other smaller matters with reference to survey work;
for onwards, from this point, it was my intention to map
the country as accurately as I could.