Departure for Fort Salisbury. 193 



CHAPTER XIII. 



CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN FORTS 

 VICTORIA AND SALISBURY. 



Departure for Fort Salisbury — Our native workmen — "Water in 

 the desert — A dreary journey — The country between 

 Fort Victoria and Fort Charter — -Whore is the 'Promised 

 Land ' 1 — We meet Mr. Colquhoun — The garrison of Fort 

 Charter — From Fort Charter to Fort Salisbury — Lions in 

 the way— The Settlement at Fort Salisbury — Signs of 

 civilization — The gold districts of Manica, Mazoe Kiver, 

 and Hartley Hill — Reconnoitring after Game 



]Major Giles and the waggons reached Fort 

 , Victoria on the morning of the 5th of August. 

 As the year was getting on, and as time was 

 growing short, it was decided tliat I should go 

 ahead of the waggons to Fort Sahsbury, travelUng 

 with the " spider " and mule waggon, and arriving 

 at Fort Salisbury, if all went well, ten days or a 

 fortnight before the slowly-travelling ox teams. 

 The morning was occupied in fitting out and pro- 

 visioning for three weeks this small flying column. 

 ]\Iy three remaining mules were turned over to the 

 mule waggon, which now possesses a fine team of 

 fourteen. Six horses were inspanned into the 

 *' spider," making a most respectable appearance, 

 and I comforted myself with the idea that, reserv- 

 ing a little for a final gallop, I would dash up to 

 Fort Salisbury in imposing style. But I Avas 



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