CHAPTER XII. 



Main features of the Falls — The return commenced — Frank Oates 

 attacked by fever — Course of the illness ; improvement and 

 relapse — His death — Dr. Bradshaw takes his effects to Bamang- 

 wato — His favourite dog — Arrival of W. E. Oates and Mr. Gil- 

 christ in Natal — Conclusion. 



It is to be regretted that, from the time of his 

 reaching the Zambesi till the date of his death five 

 weeks afterwards, the entries in Frank Oates's Journal 

 are of the scantiest description. Indeed, the whole 

 time that he was actually at the Falls he made no 

 entries in it whatever. This may have been partly 

 owing to the depressing condition of the atmosphere 

 near the river at that time, which would make any 

 exertion — even that of writing — burthensome ; and 

 partly from his relying on his memory for a faithful 

 recollection of a scene at once so novel and so im- 

 pressive. "After breakfast," he writes on New 

 Year's Day, 1875, " I visited the Falls — a day never 

 to be forgotten." This is the sole entry in his Journal 

 till the 14th of the month, when he was again back 

 at the Pandamatenga. 



And what gives especial cause for regret at the 



