416 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



November, prism of granite, and its native name Teinba Lui^ meaning 

 1875. " devil's finger," was in keeping with its appearance. 



Several villages on the road had cattle feeding near them, and 

 the people looked in comfortable circumstances. Drink was 

 offered to ns at all, but flour was not forthcoming except for 

 barter, and the want of this necessary food compelled me to 

 begin to tighten up my belt. 



In the afternoon we fell in with the rest of our party, and 

 found Jacko and Yacooti able to walk again, though several 

 other men were ill. According to Bombay, Yacooti died while 

 on the march, and was thrown into the jungle by way of burial, 

 upon which he came to life again, and was immediately able to 

 walk. 



At this camp we were joined by many Bailunda bound for 

 Benguela with flour to exchange for aguardiente. One of 

 them I noticed with a number of large cocoons in a basket, and, 

 on inquiring what they were for, he cut one open, show^ed the 

 caterpillar still moving inside, and, putting it into his mouth, 

 swallowed it, smacking his lips with great gusto. CaterjDillars 

 in this particular stage w'ere, I was told, considered a great del- 

 icacy. 



The whole caravan being now assembled, I trusted we might 

 reach the coast without further delays ; for, in consequence of 

 our halt at Lungi, the men had already expended much of their 

 cloth, and unless we pushed onward it was probable we should 

 have a hungry time on the road. I hoped, under these circum- 

 stances, that the men would see the necessity for marching, if 

 only for their own sakes ; but I was doomed to disappointment. 



