Chap. XXIV. WE PASS MANY SKELETONS. 485 



for any one descending from these cool heights, and stepping 

 into a boat on the Upper Shire, can sail three hundred miles 

 without a check into the heart of Africa. 



We passed through a tract of country covered with 

 mopane trees, where the hard baked soil refused to let 

 the usual thick crops of grass grow ; and here we came 

 upon very many tracks of buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, 

 and the spoor of one lion. An ox we drove along with us, 

 as provision for the way, was sorely bitten by the tsetse. 

 The effect of the bite was, as usual, quite apparent two 

 days afterwards, in the general flaccidity of the muscles, 

 the drooping ears, and looks of illness. It always excited 

 our wonder that we, who were frequently much bitten too 

 by the same insects, felt no harm from their attacks. Man 

 shares the immunity of the wild animals. 



Though this was the dry, or rather hot season, many 

 flowers were in blossom along our path. The euphorbia, 

 baobab, and caparidaceous trees were in full bloom. A 

 number of large hornbills attracted our attention, and 

 Masiko, approaching the root of a tree in order to take 

 sure aim at the birds, did not observe that within a few 

 yards of the same tree two elephants stood in the cool shade 

 fanning themselves with their huge ears. Dr. Livingstone 

 fired a ball into the ear of one of the animals at thirty yards 

 distance, but he only went off shaking his head, and Masiko 

 for the first time perceived his danger as the beast began 

 to tear away through the bush. Many Manganja skeletons 

 were passed on entering a grove of lofty trees, under whose 

 deep shade stood the ruins of a large village. Wild animals 

 had now taken possession of what had lately been the abodes 

 of men living in peace and plenty. 



Finding a few people on the evening of the 20th of August, 

 who were supporting a wretched existence on tamarinds and 



