CiiAP. XIX. THE RIVER NGOUYAI. 385 



vast expanse, and the sensation was delightful after 

 beinc; confined so lone in the dark forests of Ishoffo 

 and Ashango-land. To feel the wind fanning one's 

 face was a luxury that had long been denied me. 

 As I traversed the paths which led over the grassy- 

 expanse, my mind wandered to former scenes, the 

 fields of my native country, and I longed to be back. 

 What dangers had I not passed through since I left 

 England on this mission ! Perils by water, fire, pesti- 

 lence, and war. With a grateful heart I thanked Him 

 who had watched over the lonely traveller who had 

 trusted in Him. 



As I wandered along, occupied with these thoughts, 

 the day declined and the sun set. It did not, how- 

 ever, become dark, for a bright moonlight shone over 

 the landscape, and the evening was most enjoyable. 

 Gradually I retraced my steps towards Mokaba. 



August Qth. The crowd and noise in the village were 

 so annoying that I was obliged this morning to leave 

 the place and establish myself on the banks of the 

 Ngouyai, which flows about a mile-and-a-half to the 

 west of Mokaba. I did not know, when on our east- 

 ward march, that the town was so near to the river. 

 At this time of the year the Ngouyai has but a feeble 

 current ; I was told by the Mokaba people, that fur- 

 ther up stream, in the Njavi country, the river was 

 narrower and encumbered with rocks and rapids. 

 Although it was. now towards the end of the dry 

 season there were no hippopotami to be seen in the 

 river. It appeared to me now that I might save the 

 toilsome walk over the stony prairie by navigating 

 the stream down to Nchiengain's village. I tried 



2 c 



