238 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



June, In Kwasere there were two or three small foundries, about 



^^''^- twelve feet square, with a raised bank round tlie sides, the cen- 

 tre of the floor sloping toward a deep trough, which was placed 

 to receive the molten metal. The remains of a furnace lay in 

 one corner, and clay nozzles for the wooden bellows were scat- 

 tered about in all directions. The whole of the floors of these 

 foundries M'ere well plastered with smooth and polished clay, 

 burned quite red in many places. 



This day the thermometer at half-past one registered 100° in 

 complete shade, and 142° in the sun. 



The grass through which we forced our way had grown to 

 such an extent as to be almost inq^enetrable. In many places 

 it was upward of twelve feet in height, and so dense that lean- 

 ing against it scarcely made any impression, the stalks of the 

 main stems being often thicker than my thumb. Even where 

 the grass had been burned down, these stems remained four or 

 Ave feet high, and scratched one's face and hands in a most 

 horrid manner ; and, in addition to this, the ashes, blown about 

 by the slightest breeze, filled eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and ears. 

 After marching an hour or two through a strip of burned coun- 

 try, one had much the appearance and feeling of having been 

 in a coal-pit. 



For some days we marched, in company with the Arabs, 

 through well-watered, fertile, and fairly populated country, with 

 crops of matama growing in luxuriance. But along the whole 

 route a very hollow peace seemed to reign, the traders owing 

 their security to the fear insj^ired by their guns. Yet the in- 

 habitants constantly came into camp with slaves and ivory for 

 sale, as well as flour and other provisions. 



Slaves were usually gagged by having a piece of wood, like a 

 snaffle, tied into their mouths. Heavy slave-forks were placed 

 round their necks, and their hands were fastened behind their 

 backs. They were then attached by a cord to the vender's 

 waist. 



I believe that, as a general rule, they were much better treat- 

 ed when bought by the traders than while they remained in 

 the hands of their native owners. They were mostly captives, 

 surprised when in the woods a short way from their own vil- 

 lages, and had, of course, to be kej^t in chains by their masters 



