1866.] ONCE MORE ABOUT TO TRAVEL. 13 



is deep and quite sheltered ; another of a similar round form 

 lies somewhat to the south: this bay may be two miles 

 square. 



The cattle are all very much the worse for being knocked 

 about in the dhow. We began to prepare saddles of a very 

 strong tree called Ntibwe, which is also used for making the 

 hooked spear with which hippopotami are killed — the hook 

 is very strong and tough ; I applied also for twenty carriers 

 and a Banian engaged to get them as soon as possible. 

 The people have no cattle here, they are half-caste Arabs 

 mostly, and quite civil to us. 



26th March. — A few of the Nassick boys have the slave 

 spirit pretty strongly; it goes deepest in those who have 

 the darkest skins. Two Gallah men are the most intelli- 

 gent and hardworking among them ; some look on work 

 with indifference when others are the actors. 



Now that I am on the point of starting on another trip 

 into Africa I feel quite exhilarated : when one travels with 

 the specific object in view of ameliorating the condition of 

 the natives every act becomes ennobled. 



Whether exchanging the customary civilities, or arriving 

 at a village, accepting a night's lodging, purchasing food 

 for the party, asking for information, or answering polite 

 African enquiries as to our objects in travelling, we begin 

 to spread a knowledge of that people by whose agency 

 their land will yet become enlightened and freed from the 

 slave-trade. 



The mere animal pleasure of travelling in a wild unex- 

 plored country is very great. When on lands of a couple 

 of thousand feet elevation, brisk exercise imparts elasticity 

 to the muscles, fresh and healthy blood circulates through 

 the brain, the mind works well, the eye is clear, the step 

 is firm, and a day's exertion always makes the evening's 

 repose thoroughly enjoyable. 



We have usually the stimulus of remote chances of 



