brink a few cranes were to be seen disporting in playful
mood.
From our standpoint we could see well defined the great
bend of the Zambesi, as it swept round in one majestic
curve towards the south-east. Thence the winding flow of
dark, gloomy-like water, edged with bleached shores of the
whitest sand, moved in silent sadness onward, eastward,
oceanward.
With the knowledge that I was approaching the great
Portuguese trading outpost, I now began to study my personal
appearance a little. At best I could only be called
a good anatomical subject or study. Bones, and muscles
showed splendidly. With regard to the outer man, I was
miserably tattered and to rn : my overalls were in rags;
and my feet wrappers were tied up with odd pieces of
string.
The tout ensemble would have reminded most people of
the advanced picket of a caravan of gipsy tramps just
arriving after a long journey, and about to lay siege to the
sympathy or fear of a credulous public. Appearances, m. A
short, were very far from being what is called “ respectable.”.
The route through the hills was exceedingly rough and
stony, carrying us through thick underbrush and scrub.
We soon descended the northern slopes. Striking our
way through stunted forest towards the river, we rested at
the confluence of the Kapinja. Then, much to the astonishment
of all, I produced out of the sack, as if by magic, the
bottle of brandy, which had been safely carried for over a
thousand miles through danger, toil, and trouble. There was
enough to give each man a “ nip,” according to my promise.i
I was glad, however, to see that a number would not accept
the drink. Those who did had been broken in with the
aqua ardiente of the Portuguese.
A number of small and dry river beds were crossed. In
our march the sand was soft and deep, so much so that I
felt as though I were performing the feat of the circus
strong man, that is tugging half-hundred weights on each
foot, with a very small amount of the essential to do it on.
The hardest five hours and forty minutes that I ever
spent were passed in that harassing march along the sandy
shores of the river. At the end of that time we reached a
small ridge near the fort, west of the town.
I took in my belt here up to the last hole, as if bent upon
the pursuit of some fleet-footed animal ; for I was determined
not to hobble dejected-looking and exhausted into
the town. Appearances otherwise were bad enough, and
much depended upon my making a good impression, so as
to get quarters as comfortable as possible.
Braced to the occasion, but with mingled feelings of
relief, satisfaction, and anticipation, I in a little time found
myself standing in the pillared porch of the governor’s
house at Tette. To him I presented a letter which I
had with difficulty procured from the Portuguese consul
at the Diamond Fields, South Africa, and with these
credentials I was received most courteously, a room being
set apart for the accommodation of myself and my men.