224 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



resisted firing, as sufficient meat had been provided 

 for the wants of my encampment. The beast in 

 question was a keitloa [Rhinoceros keitloa), a pug- 

 nacious and dangerous beast when encountered on 

 land. It is as active as the dore/e, and quite as 

 vindictive in its disposition, but is superior in height 

 and consequently in power of doing mischief. 



As the sun was setting, we were near our land- 

 ing place, a wreath of smoke rose perpendicularly 

 from my encampment's fire, giving a home-like look 

 to the scene that can well be imagined ; moreover, 

 every now and then rose and fell the mellow soft 

 voices of the natives as they sang an accompaniment 

 to their evening; toil. Church bells rincrinor the call 

 to vespers or tolling the curfew are loved by asso- 

 ciation, till you get too much of the monotonous 

 clank, clank, clank, as, for instance, is the case in 

 Malta, when the constant din becomes monotonous 

 and annoying, subversive of rest, and destructive to 

 ease ; but not so with the native voice, for often as I 

 have heard it, it ever seems to lull to repose, to 

 speak of peace and good will. 



If your attendants in Africa sing when they are 

 about their labour, more especially when it be at the 

 termination of the day, you can conclude that they 

 harbour no ill will towards their employers ; au con- 

 traire, appreciate their work, and enjoy their occu- 

 pation. 



An upheaval of the raft that threatened to sever 



