248 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



sucli an act of cruelty as to ride a horse through them. 

 The wait-a-bit, the binder, and the Mimosa /wrridilis, 

 or ivory needle, seemed here to revel and live in such 

 close vicinity, that they were evidently on the most 

 friendly terms. 



It was expected that the river would be reached by 

 sunset ; but the road had been so heavy, and the heat 

 so oppressive, that it now became obvious that we should 

 be at least a couple of hours late. 



As the Notawaney is not fordable immediately after 

 heavy rains, and there was every indication that such 

 were about to fall, it was imperative that we should 

 push on, and get across before a flood descended. It is 

 a standing rule among African travellers always to cross 

 a river that you come to in your route ; let what will 

 happen after that is performed, you are then on the 

 right side. 



To what I have said about the lion here I should 

 add one notable exception namely, that in the Mata- 

 bele country, where wars have been carried on incessantly 

 for nearly half a centmy, the King of the Felidse has 

 become so bold, that he not only hunts by day, but will 

 attack man without the slightest provocation. This is 

 to be accounted for by the number of wounded and 

 maimed men unable to protect themselves that have 

 crawled off from the fight into the bush. This has even 

 had an effect upon the hyaenas ; for in the country of 

 Lubengulo they are so bold that they have been known 

 to attack people, and it is no uncommon occurrence to 

 hear that children nine or ten years of age have been 

 carried off by them in broad daylight. 



Among the Mashoonas, Macalacas, and Matabeles, 

 it is frequently to be observed by strangers that many 



