large and heavy sup- 

 plies through the 

 country of the Cher- 

 ingani. This country 

 has forests unusual 

 for East x\frica. The 

 altitude ranges from 

 a little over 4000 feet 

 above sea level in 

 some of the lower 

 parts to 10,500 feet 

 where dense wood- 

 lands cover the sum- 

 mits of the hills. Im- 

 passible ravines and 

 deep swamp-edged 

 narrow streams were 

 met with evervwhere 



One-year-old lion 



and made necessary considerable digging and rough bridging and road-making. 

 Our usual method of transportation was by ox team. Sometimes as 

 many as thirty-two oxen were put in the iron chain that hauled our 

 wagon. Almost two tons of fine salt were necessary for the preparation of 

 the skins. A large tent in which many men could work on the skins had to be 

 carried; also a great 

 weight of posho, the 

 natives' food of 

 ground meal. Our 

 consumption of this 

 was about two hun- 

 dred pounds each 

 day. Posho, as all 

 well know who have 

 left civilization far be- 

 hind in African lands, 

 is the cause of the 

 chief difficulty of all 

 explorers. It may 

 be impossible to pro- 

 cure, once off the 

 main lines of travel, 

 and must be had not 

 at intervals but al- 

 ways. The breaking 

 up and ruin of expedi- 

 tions is often due to 





Chita cubs. The chita or hunting leopard differs from all 

 others of the cat family in the lack of retractile claws. It hunts 

 antelope, reedbuck and kudu, stalking the prey with stealth and 

 cunning preliminary to a lightning-like rush. For a considerable 

 distance it can outstrip the swiftest antelope 



305 



