}44 



ACEOSS AFRICA. 



[Chap. 



Juue, 

 1875. 



-S 



NJIVI MAE8H. 



About fifteen miles before reacliing Lunga Mandi's village, 

 I was shown the place where the first white trader from Bihe 

 who penetrated Urua had pitched his camp. From the account 

 given by the natives, he conducted his caravan on the same 

 principles as Alvez, and I believe the peoj^le did not appre- 

 ciate his visit. 



As we journeyed onward, my invalids began to recruit their 

 health, and all had recovered on arrival at Lunga Mandi's. 



This village was situated in a valley among flat-topjjed hills 

 of sandstone, well wooded, and with many, bright streams ; and 

 here, for the first time, I saw ant-hills similar to those in South 

 Africa. 



I had previously met with many ten feet in height, but now 

 suddenly came upon some of gigantic size, measuring from for- 

 ty to fifty feet ; and, comparing means with results, these ant- 

 hills are more wonderful than the Pyramids. It is as though a 

 nation had set to work and built Mount Everest. 



Camping a short distance from Lunga Mandi's, we were soon 

 surrounded by natives ; some coming to stare, and some to sell 

 their wares, while others were looking out for any small pick- 

 ings they might find. Our first visitors were men only, the 

 women and live stock having been sent across the Lovoi on a 

 rumor reaching them that Kasongo and Coimbra were with us. 

 The people evidently viewed a visit from their sovereign as the 

 greatest disaster that could befall them. 



