LETTER FROM HOPE FOUNTAIN. 87 



on my walk to the Falls. I see now clearly enough 

 that I was deceived by the man who was given to 

 assist me, or by the headman of Inyati, who had 

 made no attempt to get the men for me, but lulled 

 me with fair promises, whilst in reality doing all he 

 could to prevent my obtaining them. The fact was 

 my guide did not wish me to go to the Zambesi ; 

 partly, no doubt, because they would have had to 

 hurry more than might have been agreeable, but 

 principally from fear of the fever, of which they have 

 a great dread. The king, however, knew what he 

 was doing when he assured me that for two months 

 to come there was no danger whatever, and this was 

 far more time than enough to accomplish my much- 

 desired object. 



" I have now spent two months in the neighbour- 

 hood of Inyati, sometimes leaving the waggon for 

 days and sleeping in the veldt. This was always 

 satisfactorily managed even on a pouring wet night, 

 as the Kaffirs in a few minutes build you a hut of 

 branches, perfectly water-tight, with a bed of dry 

 grass upon which to place your bedding. Two 

 Englishmen, tourists, have visited the Falls this 

 season, and I hear that one of them said they were 

 so fine he would rather walk barefoot from Durban 

 to see them than leave them unseen. (Mrs. Thom- 

 son, finding me writing in the dark, has just sent 

 Mr. T. to me with a candle, which I hope will im- 

 prove the style of my letter, for I fear it wants it.) 

 The old guide, who was given me by the king, and 



