MOONLIGHT TREKS. 125 
" From here I intend travelling leisurely to 
Mungwato, where I hope to find letters. When I 
get there I shall decide whether or not to make 
another attempt on the Victoria Falls. By leaving 
Mungwato about April, I should have the fine 
season before me, and could probably reach the 
Falls and return to Mungwato in the space of three 
months. The worst of this country, however, is 
that movements here are so slow and dependent 
on the caprice of natives, and one is too much cut 
off from the world. Yet I believe the Zambesi 
would repay one for much sacrifice of time and 
patience. It is impossible, I am now convinced, 
to get on with Kafirs and Hottentots without 
severity. Kindness is thrown away upon them, 
and makes them worse than they are. I believe I 
shall have to give the latter method up altogether, 
and resort to castigation, which is an alternative I 
don't like. They are, almost to a man, dishonest, 
lazy, and impudent. 
" The scenery about here is pretty I admit, 
especially at this time of year. Some of my moon- 
light treks between the King's and this place 
were very delightful, and wakened a little enthu- 
siasm and thoughts of former days, such as the 
usual dull uniformity of South African scenery fails 
to elicit. The ground is broken up into rugged 
crags, piled one upon another in such a manner that 
you can't help wondering how the mischief they ever 
got there. The veldt is covered with long grass, 
like English mowing grass. The trees are, for the 
