LETTER FROM HOPE FOUNTAIN. 87 
on my walk to the Falls. I see now clearly enough 
that I was deceived by the man who was given to 
assist me, or by the headman of Inyati, who had 
made no attempt to get the men for me, but lulled 
me with fair promises, whilst in reality doing all he 
could to prevent my obtaining them. The fact was 
my guide did not wish me to go to the Zambesi ; 
partly, no doubt, because they would have had to 
hurry more than might have been agreeable, but 
principally from fear of the fever, of which they have 
a great dread. The king, however, knew what he 
was doing when he assured me that for two months 
to come there was no danger whatever, and this was 
far more time than enough to accomplish my much- 
desired object. 
" I have now spent two months in the neighbour- 
hood of Inyati, sometimes leaving the waggon for 
days, and sleeping in the veldt. This was always 
satisfactorily managed even on a pouring wet night, 
as the Kafirs in a few minutes build you a hut of 
branches, perfectly water-tight, with a bed of dry 
grass upon which to place your bedding. Two 
Englishmen, tourists, have visited the Falls this 
season, and I hear that one of them said they were 
so fine he would rather walk barefoot from Durban 
to see them than leave them unseen. (Mrs. Thom- 
son, finding me writing in the dark, has just sent 
Mr. T. to me with a candle, which I hope will im- 
prove the style of my letter, for I fear it wants it.) 
The old guide, who was given me by the king, and 
