250 DANCING FOR CORN. 



moved along leisurely, although he was cautioned that Npende 

 had determined to allow no white man to pass through his 

 territory. 



The animal life along the river continued abundant, and 

 while passing along among the trees, not far from Zumbo, three 

 buffaloes, which had been passed without being observed, dis- 

 covering their proximity, became alarmed and dashed through 

 the company furiously. The ox on which Livingstone was 

 mounted rushed off at a swift gallop, and when he succeeded 

 in turning him back he saw that one of his men had enjoyed a 

 very unexpected a?rial tour. A buffalo had passed so near him 

 that he had thrown down his burden and stabbed him in the 

 side. Thus assaulted the beast turned suddenly upon him and 

 carried him off on his horns, but though he was tossed quite a 

 distance there was no serious injury experienced. 



It is pretty certain that there is no other country through 

 which a hundred and fourteen strong, hearty fellows could pass 

 everywhere entertained with such abundance. Sekwebu, the 

 principal man, had foretold the liberality of the tribes along the 

 Zambesi, he having known them many years before ; all hands 

 agreed that he had told only the truth. The men took care for 

 themselves, and having had very little trouble by the way, they 

 were light-hearted and free; they generally conducted their 

 peaceable forays by going into the villages and commencing to 

 dance, and, when it is remembered that there were in the party 

 representatives of nearly all the tribes which are in any way 

 under the Makololo authority, it is easily conceivable that the 

 maidens of these villages were deeply interested by the compli- 

 cation of the capers that were cut. It was as natural as could 

 be for them to lavish all their corn on the gay and gallant 

 strangers. These gallant men were considerably in advance of 

 most of those whom they visited, and laughed among them- 

 selves about their success. They rejoiced in their well-fed ap- 

 pearance ; " look," they would say, " though we have been so 

 long away from home not one of us has become lean." 



The rich, beautiful, fresh-looking, healthy country contrasted 

 most charmingly with the sultry, parched, drooping, half-alive 

 region in the south. The almost daily showers imparted a de- 

 lightful freshness to all things. It was hardly possible for Dr. 



