408 Messrs. R. B. & J. D. S. Woodward's Journeys 



\erj' roughs and when we were going down a steep descent to 

 cross a small stream one of the wheels ran into a deep hole, 

 which caused the cart to capsize. Fortunately there were 

 some men near who gave us their assistance, and after off- 

 loading we managed to right it, but the tent-frame was broken 

 in two places. Proceeding on our way and gradually ascend- 

 ing to higher country, we passed through a beautifully green 

 veldt studded with flowers of every hue. As the road neared 

 the bushy kloofs, we heard the cheerful notes of Laniarins 

 quadricotor. This, a beautiful Shrike, is of four colours, 

 and its scarlet throat makes it very conspicuous in the 

 thickets. It does not sing, but its cheerful cry of " kong- 

 kong-koit " is one of the pleasantest of the spring sounds. 

 The female is similar in plumage to the male, but the scarlet 

 and black bands are not so well-defined. 



Eschowe is situated on high land commanding an ex- 

 tensive view of the surrounding country. Thick woods 

 clothe the valleys about it, making it a pretty site. It is 

 healthy but sometimes very cold, being 2700 feet above 

 sea-level. It is a good place for butterflies, and we caught 

 some during the short time we were there. After leaving 

 Eschowe we crossed the Inlalaas, which is quite a small 

 stream up here ; on its banks there is a water-mill for 

 grinding corn for the supply of the town. After travelling 

 a few miles further on we came to a point from which we 

 had a grand view of the Umhlatoosi valley about 1000 feet 

 below, the large flats on either bank being thickly covered 

 with mimosa thorn trees. The windings of the river could 

 be traced for many miles down, and on the far side rose 

 steep hills and rocky precipices intersected by many a wooded 

 kloof. On one of the high points in the distance could be 

 discerned some of the buildings of St. PauFs Church of 

 England Mission, and here and there the hill-sides were 

 dotted with clusters of native kraals with their bee-hive- 

 shaped huts. We found good camping-ground under a huge 

 Euphorbia. 



This spot, which is on the highlands over the valley of the 

 Umhlatoosi, is about 12 miles from Eschowe. We chose it 



