26 MATABELE LAND. 



that they want snuff. They are hunting here. 

 They brought ostrich -eggs, exchanging them for 

 a cheap knife, mirror, or handkerchief. I had 

 great difficulty in buying an ostrich -feather for 

 about three or four pounds of lead. They wanted 

 a whole bar, and on no other terms would bring 

 more feathers. 



"August 21st. — Calm day, after a very windy 

 night. . . . Started at 7.15 p.m., and went about 

 seven miles, crossing two spruits, and outspanned 

 for the night about 1 1 . 



11 August 22ci. — Cool morning. Trekked from 

 6.30 to 10 a.m., the road twisting a good deal; say 

 seven miles. . . . Stopped to rest, and inspanned 

 again about 4 p.m., the road now winding through 

 stony crags, and numbers of kopjes appearing to 

 our right, to our left, and in front. Going a fair pace. 

 Crossed the dry bed of the Seribi, apparently a very 

 large river. Deep descent, sand very heavy, banks 

 of river picturesquely wooded. We had seen lots 

 of fresh lion-spoor on the road before crossing the 

 Seribi, and on this side I see more. Delicious 

 fragrance from a sort of sallow - like blossom. 

 Later, approaching the Motlautsi, we saw large 

 numbers of sand-grouse flying both towards us and 

 the opposite way — to and from the water. Finished 

 trekking about 7, but did not outspan till much 

 later, as when we entered the broad bed of the 

 Motlautsi we stuck in the deep sand, and made 

 many fruitless efforts to get out before outspanning. 

 There was a little pool of water at which the oxen 



