38 
Seven Years in Central Africa. [July, 
districts in which oxen are kept, but follow the buffaloes and 
larger game into the wooded parts. In appearance the tsetse is 
very like the ordinary house fly, except that it is a little larger, and 
lighter in colour. It has not, however, the buzzing, importunate 
ways so common in the house fly, and is not an annoying creature 
like the mosquito. I have seldom found the mosquito and the 
tsetse cogether ; and the fact that the flat, open, grassy plains are 
the favourite haunts of the mosquito may be the reason why the 
tsetse fly avoids these parts, and takes to the forest belts, where 
the mosquito is seldom found. The bite of the tsetse, it may be 
added, though fatal to cattle and some large game, is harmless 
to men and goats, and the traveller finds the mosquito far more 
troublesome to deal with. Donkeys resist for a long time the 
effects of the tsetse poison, but often succumb at last. Even in 
cattle the poison usually only causes death after some weeks, 
during which the animals gradually fail. 
Kama's hunter leaves. 
July 31^/.— On the point of starting I have changed my plans, 
and decided to go by the Chobe, thinking I had better run the 
risk of losing my donkeys than of losing human life. On the 
direct line to Leshuma, water is undoubtedly very scarce, and 
becoming scarcer every day. My men were willing to go which- 
ever way I chose, but greatly preferred the Chobe. Tinka did 
what he could to prevent my going by the Chobe, but took a 
pleasant farewell. I have now no doubt he is a Christian. 
This morning I was up before the sun, and set to work in real 
earnest in laying out the loads, which contained : 
70 lbs. of wheat-meal. 
Three sacks, 35 lbs. each, of food for the men. 
40 lbs. of dried meat. 
One box, in which were tea, cocoa, candles, etc., weighing 
about 50 lbs. 
Two sailor's canvas sacks, filled with beads, clothing, cahco, etc. 
Books, ammunition, and spare lead made another man's load. 
My knapsack was filled with medicines. This was carried, 
with pots and pans, in a basket. 
My own supply of water was contained in four small wooden 
kegs. 
