132 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



Although the Victoria Falls are only i8 degrees 

 south of the equator, still the nights at this season of 

 the year are very cold. In the day-time the temper- 

 ature is about the same as on a summer's day in 

 England, but the atmosphere, being much drier, not 

 so oppressive. This is, of course, the cold season of 

 the year, and even by the end of August there will 

 be a change indeed. 



On the morning of the 28th v^e started to see the 

 falls at close quarters, resolving to cut straight down to 

 the river, and then skirt along the edge ot the chasm 

 through which it here flows. This chasm is in itself 

 a most wonderful sight, and in many respects, I 

 think, must resemble the deep canyons in North- 

 Western America. The sides of this curious cleft 

 in the earth's surface are more than precipitous, they 

 are overhanging, and at its bottom, at a depth of 

 many hundred feet, the river runs in a boiling, seeth- 

 ing torrent. 



We now followed the course of the river, often 

 making long detours to avoid the many precipitous 

 gullies. On the way Mr. Garden shot a water-buck 

 cow, bringing it down on the spot with a ball through 

 the neck, and, as we had not yet breakfasted, we 

 forthwith cut out the liver, and, kindling a fire, soon 

 made short work of it. 



As we neared the falls we found that the river ran 

 in sharp zigzags, doubling backwards and forwards 

 across its general course, so that by cutting from 

 point to point we did not go over one-fourth of the 

 ground we must have done had we followed the edge 

 of the chasm. At last, about mid-day, we stood on 

 the brink of the falls themselves. How I wish I 

 could give you some idea of their wonderful grandeur 

 and beauty! But the task is far beyond me. Imagine 



