CHAPTER XV. 



THE LUAMBWA TO THE DIFUNA AND KIAMANDA RIVERS 



AN UNKNOWN ROAD TRAVELLING THROUGH 



HEAVY RAINS INTELLECTUAL INCAPACITY OF 



THE NATIVES — POOR MASO's TROUBLES. 



Marching in the rainy season, though one gets 

 accustomed to it, as to everything else, is always 

 disagreeable to travellers. While getting ready for 

 the road minor troubles are many and various ; there 

 is a general feeling of dampness about everything ; 

 the machillas are wet, the chairs are wet, the beds 

 and bedding have to be prepared for the march inside 

 the tent. All this causes delay, and fills the tent with 

 natives when one would like to shelter in it oneself. 

 Everything gets covered with mud, and unless very 

 careful one is certain to get wet also. The tents 

 present a real difficulty, for when sodden with rain 

 they weigh considerably more than when they are 

 dry ; also, continued travelling in a damp state will 

 damage them. 



On the road one is somewhat in a dilemma. 

 Often a walk would be pleasant, but boots get soaked 

 in no time, and travelling for hours in a machilla 

 with wet feet is a thing to be avoided. Loads are a 

 constant source of anxiety ; perishable goods, such as 

 salt and bundles of skins, are very likely to be spoilt; 

 bedding that has not been carefully covered will 



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