NO CATTLE OR GAME TO BE HAD 



257 



For four hours we marclied outside tlie fringe of wood on 

 the right bank, and then pushed on for the most northerly 

 camping-place in Ngamatak reached by the two caravans 

 mentioned above. 



We were now able to understand how it was that neither 

 Jumbe Kimemeta nor Sokoni, who claimed to have been here 

 three times, could determine their bearings in this district, 

 for, as usual with trading caravans, the final halt had been 

 made in the very densest bit of the thicket. The dry, sandy 

 river-bed was here some 250 paces wide, and only in one rather 

 deeper trench was there a little pool of water. The natives 

 knew the place, and came to visit us here, though their settle- 

 ment was an hour's distance off, on a ridge running alongside 

 of the Trrawell. Some ivory and two donkeys were offered for 

 sale, and we were told we could have sheep the next day if we 

 wanted them. 



As, meanwhile, our stock had been reduced to two small 

 lean oxen and a few sheep, we tried our fortune at hunting, 

 though with little hope of any good results. The Count 

 remained on the left bank, whilst I searched the right, but we 

 both returned empty-handed, a few giraffe spoors having been 

 all either of us had seen. 



All the natives brought for sale the next day were two 

 donkeys, two sheep, and some ivory. They, of course, were 

 bent on selling their ivory, and had therefore held out to us 

 delusive hopes of cattle. And we were glad to get rid of some 

 of our still large stock of goods for barter, so we bought a little 

 ivory, making a first-rate bargain, which was not, however, of 

 much use towards filling the empty stomachs of our unfortunate 

 men, for whom there was now nothing to eat. So once more 

 we dutifully shouldered our rifles and went down the river, only 

 to be disappointed again, and to return with the bitter convic- 

 tion that no big game was likely to be found within many miles 



VOL. II. s 



