136 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



distant where it is joined by the Chobe, the Zambesi 

 flows through low, undulating forest-clad sand ridges, 

 which cuhninate here and there in abrupt rocky cliffs 

 or stony hills. Its banks, and the islands with which 

 its broad blue bosom is studded, are decorated with 

 graceful, feathery palm-trees of two varieties, under 

 which, on the northern shore, many a small cluster 

 of neat-looking native huts may be seen. Every- 

 thing in the vicinity of this glorious river looks 

 green and smiling. Its waters are ol a deep blue, 

 pure and' clear as one could wish. In the still, deep 

 reaches at the tail of the islands, or the quiet shady 

 coves formed by some point of land, herds of hippo- 

 potami disport themselves in almost complete security; 

 whilst from the trees and bushes which line its banks 

 strange birds, scared by the approach of the intruder, 

 wing their way to more secure retreats ; and now 

 and again may be seen the handsome white-headed 

 fish-eagle, as he soars in graceful circles high over- 

 head, or, seated on the topmost branch of some 

 withered tree, gives vent from time to time to the 

 loud shrieking cry peculiar to the eagle tribe. 



Even in a fertile, well-watered land, the first sight 

 of a beautiful river is always pleasant ; but after our 

 long journey through the unspeakably dreary, sandy, 

 thirsty, silent, lifeless wastes, that stretch in unbroken 

 monotony from the very banks of the Zambesi to 

 the far-off Limpopo, the sight of the glorious sheet 

 of running water, and the semi-tropical luxuriance 

 and verdure of the surrounding scenery, burst like 

 a vision of Paradise upon our thirsty gaze. I may 

 as well here say that we saw the river Zambesi and 

 the Victoria Falls under the most favourable circum- 

 stances, for during the past season the rains having 

 been unprecedentedly heavy, and not being long 



