CHAPTER XXII 



Ancient track of Hippopotami — Starving Hippos to death — Elephant- 

 hunt — Mountainous Country — Buffaloes — Rhinoceros — Paddling 

 a dead Hippo — Nasty Accident — Lionesses. 



Early the next morning we packed up our traps, 

 divided the sea-cow meat, now pretty well dry, 

 amongst our Kafirs, and bidding good-bye to Lo 

 Magondi, whom we voted to be a very decent old 

 fellow if it were not for his begging propensities, 

 made a start for the Banyai village on the Umniati, 

 where I had already been, and from whence we had 

 determined to make atrip to its junction with the 

 Umfule. We crossed again at the Beaconsfield 

 Cataracts, and early the following day reached the 

 Umniati, crossing a good deal of buffiilo spoor on 

 the way ; then, leaving some of the boys to make 

 a camp, we took the rest and went out to look for 

 fresh meat. Jamesor went up the river and knocked 

 over two fine old waterbuck bulls with a rio-ht and 

 left shot from his 500 Express. I also shot one at 

 a little distance from the river. 



The following day we were up betimes, and 

 leaving Bokkie and three boys to look after the 

 bulk of our traps, started with the rest for the 

 junction of the rivers, taking our blankets, some 

 ammunition, and provisions for a week. We first 



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