IOTEI, PLAINS— BIRDS. 437 



disgust our enemies would feel, and their perplexity as to 

 who had been our paddler across. They were quite sure 

 that Kawawa would imagine that we had been ferried over 

 by his own people, and would be divining to find out 

 who had done the deed. When ready to depart in the 

 morning, Kawawa's people appeared on the opposite 

 heights, and could scarcely believe their eyes when they 

 saw us prepared to start away to the south. At last 

 one of them called out, " Ah ! ye are bad." To which 

 Pitsane and his companions retorted, " Ah ! ye are good ; 

 and we thank you for the loan of your canoe." We were 

 careful to explain the whole of the circumstances to 

 Katema and the other chiefs, and they all agreed that we 

 were perfectly justifiable under the circumstances, and 

 that Matiamvo would approve our conduct. When any- 

 thing that might bear an unfavourable construction 

 happens among themselves, they send explanations to 

 each other. The mere fact of doing so, prevents them 

 from losing their character, for there is public opinion 

 even amongst them. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



After leaving the Kasai, we entered upon the extensive 

 level plains which we had formerly found in a flooded 

 condition. The water on them was not yet dried up, as 

 it still remained in certain hollow spots. Vultures were 

 seen floating in the air, showing that carrion was to be 

 found ; and, indeed, we saw several of the large game, 

 but so exceedingly wild as to be unapproachable. Numbers 

 of caterpillars mounted the stalks of grass, and many 

 dragonflies and butterflies appeared, though this was 

 winter. The caprimulgus or goat-sucker, swifts, and 

 different kinds of swallows, with a fiery-red bee-eater in 

 flocks, showed that the lowest temperature here does not 

 destroy the insects on which they feed. Jet-black larks, 

 with yellow shoulders, enliven the mornings with their 

 songs, but they do not continue so long on the wing 

 as ours, nor soar so high. We saw many of the pretty 

 white ardea, and other water-birds, flying over the spots 

 not yet dried up ; and occasionally wild ducks, but these 

 onlv in numbers sufficient to remind us that we were 



