40 Memoir of Sir Andrew Smith, by Alex. Michie. 



to prevent a knowledge of the extent of the desolation of the 

 country, and of the misery entailed on the conquered tribes. 

 Aided by the remonstrances of Mr Moffat, however, all impedi- 

 ments were removed, though it was evident the guides seemed 

 more anxious to prevent communication with the inhabitants, 

 than to facilitate the acquisition of information from them. Be- 

 yond the Matabeli territory proper, much valuable information 

 was derived from the Baquain and Bamanguato tribes. From 

 the former, the knowledge of the existence of a large fresh water 

 lake* was obtained. On many points, the statements were vague 

 and unsatisfactory, but as to its existence there was no dis- 

 crepancy whatever. Under more favourable auspices an effort 

 would have been made to have reached it, but in consequence of 

 the dry season, the death of a number of the oxen, the reduced 

 condition of the remainder, and other untoward circumstances, it 

 was clear that it would have been a courting of misfortune to 

 have made the attempt ; while the successful return to the colony, 

 of the expedition, held out the hope of future efforts being fol- 

 lowed by favourable results. As soon as the necessary observa- 

 tions were made on the surrounding country, they set out on 

 their homeward journey, by way of Mosiga, Kuruman, and 

 Griquatown, and in due time reached the colony after an absence 

 of eighteen months. 



African exploration is not without stirring adventure, and zoo- 

 logical researches in that country are sometimes attended with 

 great peril, as not a few incidents in this and former journeys 

 could testify. With the exception of the untoward events already 

 mentioned, however, everything had fulfilled the most sanguine 

 hopes of the promoters. Friendly intercourse had been entered 

 into with about thirty tribes, a good understanding had been 

 established with nearly all the chiefs, much valuable information 

 had been acquired regarding the manners and customs of the 

 people, and the natural resources of the country ; while the ex- 

 pedition returned laden with upwards of five thousand specimens 

 of new or rare quadrupeds, birds, and other objects of Natural 

 History, nearly five hundred drawings of the people, scenery of 

 the country, &c, and eighteen hundred implements, weapons of 

 war, ornaments, and other articles of interest. 



* Lake Ngami first visited in 1849, by Dr Livingstone, and Messrs Oswell 

 and Murray. 



