Kazembe to Mpika 



journey was, however, suddenly enlivened by the 

 sight of a herd of roan antelope moving through the 

 open bush not far from the road, and jumping out of 



his machilla, A shot one of them before it 



was aware of our presence. 



To save time we decided to send back for the 

 meat from our next camp, which we hoped was not 

 far off, and Roberti and another man were left to 

 guard it. 



Very hot and tired we reached the junction of 

 the two rivers near Kazembe village shortly after 

 the caravan, which had been sent on ahead at the 

 breakfast halt. The near bank was high and free 

 from grass or rushes, so orders were given to pitch 

 the tents on the edge overlooking the river. Un- 

 fortunately, John had already crossed over to seek a 

 camping ground closer to the village on the far side. 

 We could see him, with some of the porters, wandering 

 about in a clearing. Ten or fifteen minutes were 

 wasted in retrieving him, and by the time he got 

 back neither white nor black tempers were at their 

 best. 



Groups of fine looking natives carrying red and 

 white blankets had passed us on the road. These 

 men were recruits for the Johannesburg mines on 

 their way to Fort Jameson to undergo the medical 

 test. If approved of they would then proceed via the 

 Zambesi River, Chinde, and Delagoa Bay to the 

 Transvaal. A party of these natives who were 

 resting by the river-side at the time of our arrival 

 volunteered, in exchange for some meat, to go and 

 fetch the roan antelope which had been left behind 



149 II 



