46 MATABELE LAND. 



"The scenery about our camp is picturesque. 

 The kopjes rise abruptly, and the river has steep 

 craggy banks. There is an approach here to Ameri- 

 can scenery. What a wonderful difference is made 

 in one's feelings by the constant impression caused 

 by fine scenery ! South Africa is sadly dull and 

 monotonous, and I believe the influence is a bad one, 

 and the loss of scenery has a depressing effect on the 

 spirits ; one's imagination is never called into play. 

 ... I still admire the scenery, as we ride along 

 home amongst the kopjes by the river. Here and 

 there the large fleshy-leaved shrub, 1 standing boldly 

 out amongst the bare crags, is very striking. There 

 is something here which might remind one a little 

 of Central America, but somehow the charm is 

 wanting. 



"September ith. — . . . Inspanned at 7 p.m., 

 and crossed the river. Stony and deep descent 

 and ascent, with very deep sand ; very hard work. 

 I feel deeply indebted to the Dutchmen, who not 

 only helped us through it — the young fellow driving, 

 and the old one helping — but, having lent us four 

 oxen for the journey, sent for some more to help us 

 through this drift, after which they say all is right. 

 Lovely moon as we trekked, but after all it is South 

 Africa and one cannot feel poetical. Picturesque 

 kopjes on either side the road ; the scenery, however, 

 not so striking as it was almost beginning to be at 

 Makobi's. Outspanned at 10.30 p.m., having gone 



1 Doubtless a species of Euphorbia, many varieties of which are 

 met with in South Africa. 



