1373.] SCOUTS SENT TO SPY THE LAND. 271 



tramped 1^ hour to a broad sponge, having at least 300 

 yards of flood, and clear water flowing S.W., but no usual 

 stream. All was stream flowing through the rushes, knee 

 and thigh deep. On still with the same, repeated again 

 and again, till we came to broad branching sponges, at 

 which I resolved to send out scouts S., S.E., and S.W. The 

 music of the singing birds, the music of the turtle doves, 

 the screaming of the frankolin proclaim man to be near. 



30th January. — Eemain waiting for the scouts. Manua- 

 sera returned at dark, having gone about eight hours south, 

 and seen the Lake and two islets. Smoke now appeared in 

 the distance, so he turned, and the rest went on to buy- 

 food where the smoke was. Wet evening. 



