186G.] AN ALARM OF MAZITL'. 137 



(the gum-copal tree), the bark-cloth tree and rhododendrons. 

 The heath known at the Cape as Bhinoster bosch occurs 

 frequently, and occasionally we have thorny acacias. The 

 grass is short, but there is plenty of it. 



24:th October. — Our guide, Mpanda, led us through the- 

 forest by what he meant to be a short cut to Chimuna's. 

 We came on a herd of about fifteen elephants, and many 

 trees laid down by these animals : they seem to relish 

 the roots of some kinds, and spend a good deal of time 

 digging them up ; they chew woody roots and branches as 

 thick as the handle of a spade. Many buffaloes feed here, 

 and we viewed a herd of elands ; they kept out of bow-shot 

 only : a herd of the baama or hartebeest stood at 200 paces, 

 and one was shot. 



While all were rejoicing over the meat we got news,, 

 from the inhabitants of a large village in full flight, that 

 the Mazitu were out on a foray. While roasting and eating 

 meat I went forward with Mpanda to get men from Chi- 

 muna to carry the rest, but was soon recalled. Another crowd 

 were also in full retreat ; the people were running straight 

 to the Zalanyama range regardless of their feet, making a 

 path for themselves through the forest ; they had escaped 

 from the Mazitu that morning ; " they saw them ! " Mpanda's 

 people wished to leave and go to look after their own 

 village, but we persuaded them, on pain of a milando, to 

 take us to the nearest village, that was at the bottom of 

 Zalanyama proper, and we took the spoor of the fugitives.- 

 The hard grass with stalks nearly as thick as quills must 

 have hurt their feet sorely, but what of that in comparison 

 with dear life ! We meant to take our stand on the hill and 

 defend our property in case of the Mazitu coming near ; and 

 we should, in the event of being successful, be a defence 

 to the fugitives who crowded up its rocky sides, but next 

 morning we heard that the enemy had gone to the south. 

 Had we gone forward, as we intended, to search for men to 



