276 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



the S. of the Zambesi, near Zumbo, we hear of a 

 station, formerly worked by the Portuguese, on the 

 river Panyame, called Dambarari. Then follows 

 the unknown kingdom of Abutua, once famous for 

 its gold. To the S.E. of this lie the gold washings 

 of the Mashdna, and still further those of Manica, 

 where gold is found much more abundantly than in 

 any other part, and which has been supposed by 

 some to be the Ophir of King Solomon. I saw the 

 gold from this quarter as large as grains of wheat, 

 while that found in the rivers which run into the 

 coal-field was in very minute scales. The inhabi- 

 tants are not unfavourable to washings, but at 

 present they only wash when they are in want of a 

 little calico. They know the value of gold perfectly 

 well, for they bring it for sale in goose quills, and 

 demand twenty-four yards of calico for one penful. 

 When the rivers in the district of Manica and other 

 gold-washing places have been flooded, they leave a 

 coating of mud on the banks. The natives observe 

 the spots which dry soonest, and commence digging 

 there in firm belief that gold lies beneath. They 

 are said not to dig deeper than their chins, fearing 

 lest if they did so, the ground should fall in and 

 bury them. When they find a piece or flake of 

 gold they bury it again, from the superstitious idea 

 that this is the seed of the gold, and, though they 

 know the value of it well, they prefer losing it rather 

 than the whole future crop. 



