A CAPFRK WAR. 55 1 



years. We had thus got into the midst of a Caffre war, 

 without any particular wish to be on either side. He 

 advised us to cross the river at once, as Mpende lived on 

 this side. We had been warned by the guides of Mburuma 

 against him, for they said that if we could get past Mpende 

 we might reach the white men, but that he was determined 

 that no white man should pass him. Wishing to follow 

 this man's advice, we proposed to borrow his canoes ; 

 but being afraid to offend the lords of the river, he declined. 

 The consequence was, we were obliged to remain on the 

 enemy's side. The next island belonged to a man named 

 Zungo, a fine frank fellow, who brought us at once a 

 present of corn, bound in a peculiar way in grass. He 

 freely accepted our apology for having no present to give 

 in return, as he knew that there were no goods in the 

 interior, and besides sent forward a recommendation 

 to his brother-in-law Pangola. The country adjacent 

 to the river is covered with dense bush, thorny and tangled, 

 making one stoop or wait till the men broke or held the 

 branches on one side. There is much rank grass, but 

 it is not so high or rank as that of Angola. The maize, 

 however, which is grown here is equal in size to that which 

 the Americans sell for seed at the Cape. There is usually 

 a holm adjacent to the river, studded with villages and 

 gardens. The holms are but partially cultivated, and on 

 the other parts grows rank and reedy grass. There is 

 then a second terrace, on which trees and bushes abound ; 

 and I thought I could detect a third and higher steppe. 

 But I never could discover terraces on the adjacent country, 

 such as in other countries show ancient sea-beaches. The 

 path runs sometimes on the one and sometimes on the 

 other of these river terraces. Canoes are essentially 

 necessary ; but I find that they here cost too much for 

 my means, and higher up, where my hoes might have 

 secured one, I was unwilling to enter into a canoe and 

 part with my men, while there was danger of their being 

 attacked. 



1 8th. — Yesterday we rested under a broad-spreading 

 fig-tree. Large numbers of buffaloes and water- antelopes 

 were feeding quietly in the meadows ; the people have 

 either no guns or no ammunition, or they would not 

 be so tame. Pangola visited us, and presented us with 

 food. In few other countries would 114 sturdy vagabonds 

 be supported by the generosity of the head-men and 



