2 6 MATABELE LAND. 
that they want snuff. They are hunting here. 
They brought ostrich eggs, exchanging them for 
a cheap knife, mirror, or handkerchief. I had 
great difficulty in buying an ostrich feather for 
about three or four pounds of lead. They wanted 
a whole bar, and on no other terms would bring 
more feathers. 
'' AugtLst 2ist. — Calm day, after a very windy 
night. . . . Started at 7.15 p.m., and went about 
seven miles, crossing two spruits, and outspanned 
for the night about 1 1. 
'' Attgtist 22d. — Cool morning. Trekked from 
6.30 to 10 A.M., the road twisting a good deal ; say 
seven miles. . . . Stopped to rest, and inspanned 
again about 4 p.m., the road now winding through 
stony crags, and numbers of kopjes appearing to 
our right, to our left, and in front. Going a fair pace. 
Crossed the dry bed of the Seribi, apparently a very 
large river. Deep descent, sand very heavy, banks 
of river picturesquely wooded. We had seen lots 
of fresh lion spoor on the road before crossing the 
Seribi, and on this side I see more. Delicious 
fragrance from a sort of sallow -like blossom. 
Later, approaching the Motloutsi, we saw large 
numbers of sand-grouse flying both towards us and 
the opposite way — to and from the water. Finished 
trekking about 7, but did not outspan till much 
later, as when we entered the broad bed of the 
Motloutsi we stuck in the deep sand, and made 
many fruitless efforts to get out before outspanning. 
There was a little pool of water at which the oxen 
