Chap. II. BADEMA TEIBE. 5 i 



say that the rocks there have a similar appearance, and it is 

 attributed to some deposit from the water, formed only when 

 the current is strong. This may account for it in part here, 

 as it prevails only where the narrow river is confined between 

 masses of rock, backed by high hills, and where the current in 

 floods is known to be the strongest; and it does not exist where 

 the rocks are only on one side, with a sandy beach opposite, 

 and a broad expanse of river between. The hot rocks burnt 

 the thick soles of our men's feet, and sorely fatigued ourselves. 

 Our first day's march did not exceed four miles in a straight 

 line, and that we found more than enough to be pleasant. 



A few inhabitants, of the tribe called Badema, were seen 

 living in the valleys. They cultivate small quantities of 

 maize, tobacco, and cotton in the available hollows, and the 

 holcus sorghum, or as they call it "inapira", on the steep 

 slopes of their mountains. Fish are caught in the river with 

 casting nets. Zebras, antelopes, and other animals are taken 

 by driving them into ravines, strong nets made of baobab- 

 bark being stretched across the narrow outlets. 



The state of insecurity in which the Badema tribe live 

 is indicated by the habit of hiding their provisions in the 

 hills, and keeping only a small quantity in their huts ; they 

 strip a particular species of tree of its bitter bark, to which 

 both mice and monkeys are known to have an antipathy, and, 

 turning the bark inside out, sew it into cylindrical vessels 

 for their grain, and bury them in holes and in crags on the 

 wooded hill-sides. By this means, should a marauding party 

 plunder their huts, they save a supply of corn. They " could 

 give us no information, and they had no food ; Chisaka's 

 men had robbed them a few weeks before," 



" Never mind," said our native Portuguese, " they will sell 

 you plenty when you return, they are afraid of you now, as 



