UNEXPECTED SALUTE. 45 



thirty elephants quietly crossing an open in the forest 

 on the opposite side, about half a mile from the 

 river. It was impossible to cross after them, as the 

 water was deep, and sweeping past with the force of a 

 torrent, while in the still pools alligators and hippopo- 

 tami were disporting themselves. But disappointment 

 is soon replaced by hope in a jungle where game is 

 plentiful, and having smoked one pipe in melancholy, 

 I again started on my way rejoicing. 



During the remainder of the day's march we came 

 on several small bands of Manganja, who were busy 

 cultivating little gardens which they had cleared in 

 the foresf. The moment, however, they saw us they 

 invariably threw away their bows and arrows, and 

 disappeared in the wood with wonderful quickness ; 

 nor could I succeed in a single instance in bringing 

 one of them to bay, though I was anxious to do so, in 

 order to let them know that friends, not foes, were 

 passing through their preserves. 



In the afternoon, while walking along at the head 

 of my party, I was startled by hearing a bullet ring 

 through the air directly over my head, followed by 

 the report of a gun. On looking round, I saw my 

 porters throwing down their loads, and bolting in 

 every direction. I could not imagine what was up. 

 Reid, who was not far behind me, now closed up, 

 and the Makololo looked to their guns. We fancied 

 some hidden Manganja had treated us to the salute. 

 Cries were soon heard, some two hundred yards back 

 in the forest, of ''Englaisee waffa!" (English dead!) and 

 Reid and I returned, accompanied by four Makololos. 

 On nearing the spot, I saw four natives carrying 



