274 RENEWED ATTACK. 



Those in the huts were turned out. Many natives 

 who lay by their fires, rolled up in sails or mats, were 

 hard at work getting clear of these marauders — rail- 

 lions of which blackened the sand around. Having 

 jumped up on a box which lay close by, I stood naked 

 in the moonlight, begging of Chinsoro to fetch me 

 my hair-brushes, that I might get the ants out of my 

 head ; but it was some time before the boy would 

 come, as he was half eaten himself. 



These midnight travellers took easy possession of 

 our camp, as in a few minutes there was not one of us 

 within a hundred yards of it, all having removed to a 

 hill some way oif, where fresh fires were lighted. There, 

 having spent half an hour at least getting the ants out 

 of our clothes and blankets, we again lay down to rest. 

 However, we were not destined to get peace here, for 

 presently a Makololo jumped to his feet, crying, 

 " Mavitel Mavite!" — (they had christened the ants Ma- 

 vite) — and started off at a run. Everyone was off in an 

 instant, most of us getting clear away before the arri- 

 val of these insects, and in a few minutes the ground 

 we had occupied was covered by our tormentors. A 

 new position at a respectful distance was taken up, 

 and all enjoyed undisturbed rest during the remainder 

 of the night. 



The next day was devoted to cleaning up guns, and 

 making preparations to go with Moloka to his elephant 

 ground on the river Moanza. Our camp swarmed 

 with visitors — consequently gossip was the order of the 

 day. During our absence the Makololo's who remain- 

 ed at Chibisa had attacked Maukokwe, and driven 

 him from one of his villages. Several Manganja wo- 



