1867.] CHITANE PERISHES IN THE WATER. 173 



in the sprouts at its root, but it was benumbed with cold : 

 a very pretty little puff-adder lay in the path, also be- 

 numbed ; it is seldom that any harm is done by these reptiles 

 here, although it is different in India. We bought up all the 

 food we could get; but it did not suffice for the marches 

 we expect to make to get to the Chambeze, where food is 

 said to be abundant, we were therefore again obliged to 

 travel on Sunday. We had prayers before starting ; but I 

 always feel that I am not doing right, it lessens the sense 

 of obligation in the minds of my companions ; but I have 

 no choice. We went along a rivulet till it ended in a small 

 lake, Mapampa or Chimbwe, about five miles long, and 

 one and a half broad. It had hippopotami, and the poku 

 fed on its banks. 



15th January. — We had to cross the Chimbwe at its 

 eastern end, where it is fully a mile wide. The guide re- 

 fused to show another and. narrower ford up the stream, 

 which emptied, into it from the east ; and I, being the first 

 to cross, neglected to give orders about the poor little dog, 

 Chitane. The water was waist deep, the bottom soft peaty 

 stuff with deep holes in it, and the northern side infested 

 by leeches. The boys were — like myself — all too much 

 engaged with preserving their balance to think of the 

 spirited little beast, and he must have swam till he sunk. 

 He was so useful in keeping all the country curs off our 

 huts ; none dare to approach and steal, and he never stole 

 himself. He shared the staring of the people with his 

 master, then in the march he took charge of the whole 

 party, running to the front, and again to the rear, to see 

 that all was right. He was becoming yellowish-red in 

 colour ; and, poor thing, perished in what the boys all call 

 Chitane's water. 



16th January. — March through the mountains, which 

 are of beautiful white and pink dolomite, scantily covered 

 with upland trees and vegetation. The rain, as usual, made 

 us halt early, and wild fruits helped to induce us to stay. 



