Kazembe to Mpika 



on a large python and beat a hasty retreat. We 

 settled down, however, at last; and notwithstanding 

 the near neighbourhood of the river, passed what 

 was probably the hottest day and night we had yet 

 had. I had no thermometer with me, but I was 

 told afterwards the temperature was probably io8° 

 to 112° F. in the tent. 



During the afternoon we received a kind note 

 from Mr. Melland, the Mpika magistrate, to say 

 that he had sent out to engage porters for us; but 

 that as his labour market was somewhat depleted, 

 there might be a delay, in getting them. This was 

 a severe blow to us, as the possibility of being 

 stopped at Mpika had not entered into our calcula- 

 tions when at Fort Jameson. We had only engaged 

 our Angonies to go as far as Mpika, the transport 

 authorities having told us that there were always an 

 abundance of good carriers in that district. As a 

 way out of our dilemma, our porters — on the whole 

 a very good lot — were sounded as to whether they 

 would volunteer to go on with us to Broken Hill, 

 but after some deliberation we received an unfavour- 

 able answer. 



In the evening, A went along the river 



bank to look for game. There were old tracks 

 of buffalo, rhino, and eland, but not a beast to 

 be seen; the great heat and the **fly" had in all 

 likelihood driven at least the larger animals to 

 cooler and more restful quarters in the forest on 

 the hills. 



Dawn next morning saw us on the march. 

 The foot of the Muchinga was reached in about an 



157 



