LONG AND TIRESOME WOKK. 267 



for them in the village for nearly an hour, and any- 

 thing like their amazement I never witnessed. All 

 my guns were inspected and explained, some shots 

 were fired at marks, and we were the best of friends. 

 I had no difficulty in obtaining everything I wanted, 

 including fresh porters. A dog which Moloka took a 

 fancy to was purchased for a few beads, and about 

 9 A.M. we were off again, continuing our course down 

 the Lesungue. 



Then followed a long and tiresome walk, sometimes 

 through the deep sandy bed of the river, at other times 

 along the banks, over rough rocks, which the scorch- 

 ing sun at noon had made so hot, especially to the 

 bare-footed natives, that we were obliged to leave the 

 track we were following, and make our road as best 

 we could through the jungle, which, in some places, 

 was almost impenetrable. About two o'clock I reached 

 the Shire, and ordered a halt. 



