A Thousand Miles in a MachiUa 



keeping with us only a tent, its carriers, and our 

 personal servants. 



We had our tent pitched under a large tree 

 growing on the river bank, and remained in it 

 during the heat of the day, starting again about 5 

 P.M. The road proved rough and hilly, and longer 



than we had expected, and as a zebra A shot 



delayed us, we did not reach our camp near 

 Kambwiri until 9 P.M. The night was very dark, 

 and our only light was the camp lantern and 

 " Cooky's " fire. We had to dispense with our own 

 camp fire, as the wood supply in the immediate 

 neighbourhood was short. 



Next morning Kambiri, the chief, a small, well- 

 dressed young man, came to call, accompanied by 

 his court, which included four pretty wives. 



It now appeared that he, John, and Moffat 

 were old friends, and when he took his departure 

 the two latter asked leave to spend the day with 

 him. In a short time others turned up with the 

 same request, " Breeches " in white duck trousers, 

 and all in their best clothes, so that by degrees the 

 great majority of our men disappeared, and the 

 sounds of revelry from the village disclosed the 

 fact that a pombe drink was in progress. 



We had told John that we intended to march 

 that afternoon, and that he was to be back by 3 P.M. 

 to strike the tents and pack the baggage ; but when 

 the hour arrived, neither he nor any of those who 

 had gone to the village were forthcoming, and 

 several messengers had to be sent to fetch them 

 back. John himself was in a state of exhilaration. 



140 



