124 MANNER OF MARCHING. Chap. V. 



in which he rehearses their deeds ever since they left their 

 own country. At times animated political discussions 

 spring up, and the amount of eloquence expended on these 

 occasions is amazing. The whole camp is aroused, and 

 the men shout to one another from the different fires ; 

 whilst some, whose tongues are never heard on any other 

 subject, burst forth into impassioned speech. 



As a specimen of our mode of marching, we rise about 

 five, or as soon as dawn appears, take a cup of tea and a 

 bit of biscuit ; the servants fold up the blankets and stow 

 them away in the bags they carry; the others tie their 

 fumbas and cooking-pots to each end of their carrying- 

 sticks, which are borne on the shoulder ; the cook secures 

 the dishes, and all are on the path by sunrise. If a 

 convenient spot can be found we halt for breakfast about 

 nine a.m. To save time, this meal is generally cooked the 

 night before, and has only to be warmed. We continue 

 the march after breakfast, rest a little in the middle of the 

 day, and break off early in the afternoon. We average 

 from two to two-and-a-half miles an hour in a straight 

 line, or as the crow flies, and seldom have more than five 

 or six hours a day of actual travel. This in a hot climate 

 is as much as a man can accomplish without being 

 oppressed ; and we always tried to make our progress more 

 a pleasure than a toil. To hurry over the ground, abuse, 

 and look ferocious at one's native companions, merely for 

 the foolish vanity of boasting how quickly a distance was 

 accomplished, is a combination of silliness with absurdity 

 quite odious ; while kindly consideration for the feelings 

 of even blacks, the pleasure of observing scenery and 

 everything new as one moves on at an ordinary pace, and 

 the participation in the most delicious rest with our fellows, 

 render travelling delightful. Though not given to over 

 haste, we were a little surprised to find that we could tire 

 our men out : and even the headman, who carried but 



