64 THE RIVER ZAMBEZI AND ITS SCENERY 



Here and there on the bank above, the hive- 

 shaped roofs of small native villages appear, and 

 on some high white-ant-heap, or other elevated 

 point, two or three dusky native heads appear, 

 curiously watching the slow progress of the now 

 famiUar steamer. In the bushes overhanging the 

 river, colonies of yellow and black weaver birds 

 have built their nests, which faintly resemble so 

 many distended stockings hanging leg downwards 

 over the water. Kites and fishing eagles make 

 their appearance, whilst still at a distance of more 

 than fifty miles from the coast, gulls are now and 

 then to be seen, together with a small, apparently 

 black-backed tern, probably the Hydrochelidon 

 leucoptei'a. 



Usually the first stopping-place on the Zambezi 

 is the important French sugar plantation and 

 manufactory at Marromeo,on the right bank, which 

 was established by a powerful syndicate of that 

 nationality about ten years ago. The tall black 

 chimney is hideously visible for many miles, as at 

 night are the brilliant illuminations. In a sub- 

 sequent chapter I shall endeavour to give some 

 description of this important Zambezi industry, 

 which is now assuming encouraging proportions. 

 At this point the river narrows somewhat, and the 

 increasing current thus produced requires every 

 pound of steam we can muster in order to pass it. 

 I was informed by Monsieur Aubert, the company's 

 courteous manager, that great difficulty was ex- 

 perienced here, as at Chinde, in conserving their 

 property, which the current was fast washing away, 

 and he pointed out some important buildings 



