1 62 MATABELE LAND. 



small antelope occasionally showing themselves the 

 whole time. In crossing the Motlautsi two lions 

 were observed quite close to the waggons, and 

 Frank Oates gave them chase, but, as related below 

 in a letter referring to the events of this period, was 

 thrown off the scent by the wiles of the Dutchman, 

 Van Rooyen, who sought to avoid an encounter. The 

 signs of animal life were rather more numerous on 

 the Shashi, where some fine water-holes were found 

 in the sand, into one of which a crocodile had recently 

 crawled, leaving the track of his tail behind him at 

 the water's edge. Here pallah and other game spoor 

 was abundant, and three or four large monkeys were 

 observed crossing the river-bed. Birds too were 

 numerous, including herons, kingfishers, and bustards. 

 In the course of the journey one or two curious 

 snakes were met with, one of which was of a fine 

 silvery hue upon the back, and salmon-coloured 

 beneath. Another, quite black and of a very deadly 

 kind, swelled out its head to an enormous size when 

 attacked by one of the party. This snake had a 

 habit, it was said, of hanging down from the trees 

 like one of their branches and attacking such 

 creatures as might pass beneath. 



On approaching Tati the traveller was struck 

 with the fine autumnal tints of the trees, and 

 observed ahead of him the picturesque range of 

 hills towards the Ramakwebani. At Tati itself the 

 grass was parched and yellow, and everything had 

 already assumed its autumnal or winter garb. Here 

 he was met on his arrival by Mr. Fairbairn from 



