Chap. XIV. GONYE FALLS. 167 



uttei loud snorting grunts, which may be heard a mile off. 

 The young ones stand on the necks of their dams, and their 

 small heads appear first above the surface, as they rise to 

 breathe the air. The dam, knowing the more urgent need of 

 her calf, rises more frequently when it is in her care. In the 

 rivers of Londa, where they are in danger of being shot, the 

 hippopotami gain wit by experience ; for while those in the 

 Zambesi expose their heads, the others keep their noses among 

 the water-plants, and breathe so quietly as to elude all 

 observation. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Ascent of the Leeambye continued. — Gonye Falls. — Xaliele. 

 — Libonta. — Animal life. 



30th November, 1853. — At Gonye Falls. These falls are formed 

 by the passage of the river through a deep fissure in the sand- 

 stone rocks, a hundred yards wide and several miles long, 

 through which the stream rushes and eddies with such violence 

 that not even the most expert swinmier could live in it. In 

 flood-time the river rises between these walls to a perpen- 

 dicular height of 50 or 60 feet. The rocks are perforated by 

 madrepores, and have their surface glazed with an impregna- 

 tion of iron. 



As no rain had fallen here, it was excessively oppressive 

 both in cloud and sunshine, and Ave all felt great lassitude in 

 travelling. The trees had put on their gayest dress, and many 

 flowers adorned the landscape, yet they all looked languid for 

 want of rain. 



The routine of our day's work was as follows : — We rose a 

 little before 5 a.m., and, having taken a light breakfast of 

 coffee, we loaded the canoes and embarked. The next two 

 hours were the most pleasant part of the day's sail. The 

 men paddled away vigorously, and occasionally relieved the 

 tedium of their work by loud altercations. About 11 we 

 landed and took a light meal. 



After an hou v '« rost we again embarked, and 1 sheltered 



