24 MATABELE LAND. 
Starting again the ensuing evening, and continu- 
ing their journey during the following day, they 
arrived early on the morning of the 15th at the 
Seruli River, where a water-pit, sunk in the dry 
sandy bed of the river, was found for watering the 
oxen. Here were a party of natives, living in the 
bush, hunting. They were said to be Bushmen. 
One of their number, who came to the waggon the 
following day, looked very striking — a leopard-skin 
thrown gracefully over his well-formed person, and 
a necklace of large lavender beads round his neck. 
Four days were spent by the brothers at the Seruli, 
whence they proceeded on their journey on the 
evening of the 19th, making a halt about midnight. 
From this point Frank Oates's Journal takes up the 
story for the next few days — till their arrival at the 
Shashe on the 24th — as follows : — 
''Augtist 20th. — Have coffee, and hear the mono- 
tonous call of the night-hawk, as we rest and let the 
cattle feed. W. called my attention yesterday, at 
close of day, to another (a clucking) note, which he 
says proceeds from the hornbill. We have been living, 
whilst at the Seruli, on ostrich eggs. Fried with a 
little meal is the best way we have had them, or 
made into a pudding with maizena. They are 
strong, unless nicely cooked. Started again at 2.30 
A.M., and trekked for three hours. Horned moon 
and bright morning star in the east ; horizon dark 
against the sky, already glowing with the pale orange 
of approaching morning, fading into the dark violet 
of the upper firmament. Notes of birds are heard. 
