LOOKING FOE INFORMATION. 419 



three of the very ugliest natives came and sat before me. 

 They were Barotse, and hailed from beyond the Barotse, 

 a tributary of the Zambesi. The Diamond-fields were 

 their destination. When they return to their native 

 valley, how many miles they will have walked, and what 

 strange sights they will have to report to the primitive 

 people of their distant home ! 



Just as I was thinking of saddling, some of the 

 cattle-herds made their appearance. I had learnt that 

 there was a path from here to Soshong, but did not 

 know where to find it. Thus I tried to get the neces- 

 sary information from these people, but all was of no use. 

 Money and tobacco I offered in vain, they would not 

 tell me no, not they ! So suspicious is the character 

 of these people. 



However, I did not despair of finding it, so got in 

 the saddle again, and steered a due west course, occa- 

 sionally making a little to the south. Path crossed 

 path, and cattle-trail cattle-trail, but none seemed to lead 

 in the direction I wished. At length I got into a 

 deserted village, surrounded by numerous kraals, but 

 even from this there appeared to be no outlet. Still, 

 west was my direction, and I pursued it. No flocks, no 

 " herds," not a human being had been seen since I left the 

 cattle station. I was wondering over this total absence 

 of population, when, as I topped a ridge, I came upon a 

 number of women and girls, each carrying a load. As 

 soon as they saw me, down went their burdens, and off 

 they scampered. No information to be got from them, 

 that was certain. Another hour's riding brought me up 

 under the shadow of the hills. I looked for a passage 

 through them first rode up one ravine, and then 

 another, but found myself on each occasion in a cul-de-sac. 



BB 2 



