Chap. XVI. LENDING ROOFS OF HUTS. 190 



were found, and were eagerly devoured by my companions ; 

 the edible variety is always found growing out of ant-hills, 

 and attains a diameter of six or eight inches. Seme, not 

 edible, are of a brilliant red, and others of a light blue 

 colour. 



I derived considerable pleasure, in spite of rain and fever, 

 from this new scenery. The deep gloom contrasted strongly 

 with the shadeless glare of the Kalahari, which had left an 

 indelible impression on my memory. Though drenched day 

 by day, I could hardly bring myself to believe that we were 

 getting too much of a good thing. Nor could I see water 

 thrown away without an impression flitting across my mind 

 that we were guilty of wasting it. Occasionally we emerged 

 from the deep gloom into a pretty little valley, with a swampy 

 spot in the middle, which, though now filled with water, at 

 other times supplies only enough moisture for wells. 



We crossed, in canoes, a small perennial stream named 

 Lefuje, or " the rapid," proceeding from a goodly mountain, 

 of an oblong shape, and about eight hundred feet high, called 

 Monakadzi (the woman), which rose about twenty or thirty 

 miles to the east of our course. The Lefuje probably derives 

 its name from the rapid descent of its short course from the 

 Monakadzi to the Leeba. 



Generally speaking, each valley contained its own little 

 village. At some we rested, the people becoming more liberal 

 as we advanced. Others we found deserted, a sudden panic 

 having seized the inhabitants, though the drum of Manenko 

 was kept constantly beaten in order to announce the approach 

 of great people. AVhen we had decided to remain for the 

 night at any village, the inhabitants lent us the roofs of their 

 huts, which can be taken off the walls at pleasure. They 

 brought them to the spot selected as our lodging, and, when 

 my men had propped them up with stakes, we were safely 

 housed for the night. Every one who comes to salute either 

 Manenko or ourselves rubs the upper parts of the arms and 

 chest with ashes ; those who wish to show profcunder reverence 

 put some also on the face. 



Every village had its idols near it, so that, when we came (39) 

 to an idol in the woods, we always knew that we were within 

 a mile of human habitations. AVe passed one very ugly idol 



