66 MATABELE LAND. 
as I should have had to see the king first, to get his 
permission, by the time I could have returned to the 
Tati it would have been too late. I have not a map 
before me now, but suppose it may be 200 miles 
or thereabouts from Inyati, my starting-point, to 
the Victoria Falls. I shall hurry on to the Zambesi, 
so as to leave the river as soon as possible. I can 
then take my time in returning, as when I leave the 
river the worst is over, and I soon get into a healthy 
country again, but, as of course every one knows, the 
Zambesi at certain seasons of the year is unhealthy. 
All this I have carefully studied, and have been 
guided by what I consider reliable evidence. I shall 
be further guided by circumstances that may occur, 
and shall exercise my judgment as to how far I carry 
out my original project." 
Leaving Hope Fountain after writing the above, 
on the 25th of September, the traveller went a short 
distance that night, and continued his journey early 
on the following morning. Here the Journal for the 
next two days resumes the story : — 
^'September 26tk. — Cool, cloudy morning; the 
wind in our faces. Started about 7.30 a.m., and 
went six miles. The country we passed through 
was bush veldt ; trees small, and in most places 
thinly scattered ; grass very dry. One of the boys 
was running wildly about to keep himself warm 
— a hint for me to give him a shirt. The wind 
was high, and where we outspanned the boys made 
a fire in the hollow bed of a spruit. Starting 
again at i p.m., the country assumed rather a fresh 
