136 



ACROSS AFRICA. 



[Chap. 



December, of imagination to fancy one's self in the wooded part of a well- 

 ^^'^^' kept English park, except that gazelles bounding away in the 

 distance, and the skulls of a lion and an elephant, kept promi- 

 nently in mind the fact that one was still in African juno-le. 



After marching eight miles, a clearing was reached, and in 

 the centre there stood a large new village, named Hisinene. 

 Asmaui, with his eternal grin, pointed it out with apparent de- 

 light, seeming to think that it would be a pleasant surprise. 

 On the contrary, I was disgusted ; as it now appeared that the 

 halt of the day before had been altogether unnecessary, and 

 each village was certain to tempt some of my men to remain 

 behind. When leaving the place the next morning, I was grat- 

 ified to find that only one man had run during the night. 



After every one had started, I brought up the rear on Jas- 

 min, the white Muscat donkey I had obtained at Unyanyembe, 

 which by this time had learned to attach itself to me almost 

 with the fidelity of a dog. These Muscat donkeys are much 

 valued, being highly bred, and possessing good staying powers ; 

 but they require better care and feeding than the ordinary na- 

 tive animal. They stand about twelve to thirteen hands high, 

 and their paces are equal to those of a horse ; and they are very 

 pleasant to ride, owing to their easy amble. 



Suddenly the caravan came to a halt, and a most unwelcome 

 sight presented itself, the men having grounded their loads, while 

 Asmani and others were engaged in a violent altercation with 

 some natives. 



