66 MATABELE LAND. 



but as I should have had to see the king first, to get 

 his permission, by the time I could have returned to 

 the Tati it would have been too late. I have not a 

 map before me now, but suppose it may be 200 

 miles or thereabouts from Inyati, my starting-point, 

 to the Victoria Falls. I shall hurry on to the Zam- 

 besi, so as to leave the river as soon as possible. I 

 can then take my time in returning, as when I leave 

 the river the worst is over, and I soon get into a 

 healthy country again ; but, as of course every one 

 knows, the Zambesi at certain seasons of the year 

 is unhealthy. All this I have carefully studied, and 

 have been guided by what I consider reliable evi- 

 dence. I shall be further guided by circumstances 

 that may occur, and shall exercise my judgment as 

 to how far I carry out my original project." 



Leaving Hope Fountain after writing the above, 

 on the 25th of September, the traveller went a short 

 distance that night, and continued his journey early 

 on the following morning. Here the Journal for 

 the next two days resumes the story : — 



" September 26th. — Cool, cloudy morning; the 

 wind in our faces. Started about 7.30 a.m., and went 

 six miles. The country we passed through was 

 bush veldt ; trees small, and in most places thinly 

 scattered ; grass very dry. One of the boys was 

 running wildly about to keep himself warm — a hint 

 for me to give him a shirt. The wind was high, and 

 where we outspanned the boys made a fire in the 

 hollow bed of a spruit. Starting again at 1 p.m., the 

 country assumed rather a fresh aspect, with a green 



