CHAPTER II. 



The journey resumed— Halt on the Seruli — Bushmen on the Gokwe — 

 The Shashi — The Tati settlement — Adventure with a lion — W. 

 E. Oates returns to the coast ; particulars of his journey. 



Frank Oates left Bamangwato on the 7th of August, 

 and the following day joined his brother, who had 

 been waiting for him a little way out of the town. 

 In the evening the Mahalapsi * River was reached, 

 where were a number of Dutchmen just returned 

 from hunting on the Motlautsi, to the north of 

 the Limpopo. Continuing their journey the fol- 

 lowing morning, and subsequently crossing the 

 Tauani and Lotsani Rivers, the brothers reached 

 the Palatswe River on the 12th. "The scenery 

 here," writes Frank Oates, "is very pretty. A row 

 of low kopjes on the right, with large stones piled 

 one on another, forms a natural terrace to the east- 

 ward, from which you look over a sea of green bush, 

 with a few kopjes standing out from the midst." 

 Here goat's milk was brought in a large tortoise- 

 shell from a kraal somewhere near, and exchanged 

 for a small piece of tobacco. Most of the natives 

 carried guns, and game was scarce and wild. 



1 Misspelt Makalapsi in the first edition. 



