64 AN ANXIOUS TIME. 



was once more at work. I soon entered some long 

 grass, through which the tracking was easy, congealed 

 blood being visible on both sides of the track, thereby 

 proving that the ball had gone through the body of 

 the stricken buck. This Moloka also remarked, and 

 pointed out to me with delight, and we soon had the 

 satisfaction to find the waterbuck dead. It was quite 

 stiff, and must have died early in the night, for quan- 

 tities of congealed blood stained its grassy couch. 



Moloka is a thorough sportsman, his whole heart 

 is in his work, and he cannot bear the idea of leaving 

 a wounded animal in the jungle, as he says to feed the 

 hyenas, jackals, and other beasts of prey that infest 

 all the woods in this country. Taking the head of the 

 waterbuck, I returned to camp, and enjoyed a good 

 breakfast. Reid and Stacy were hard at work at the 

 boat, and I hastened to assist them. 



During the day several parties of Ajawahs arrived 

 at our camp. They all said they were running 

 from the Mavite, whom Gegara had invited to cross 

 the river for the purpose of depopulatmg all this part 

 of the country. These reports set the Makololos 

 wavering. Some said they must return to their homes 

 and defend them ; and on being refused permission 

 to leave us, they were inclined to be insolent, and 

 all save Moloka were more or less cheeky. It was 

 an anxious time Should the Makololos desert us, I 

 don't know now we are to get up to the lake, as none 

 of the people here will accompany us. However, as 

 a last resource, we must send back for the Shupanga 

 men, and this will entail the necessity of bringing up 

 all the goods we have left behind also. All now wish 



