48 
Seven Years in Central Africa. 
[Aug. 
A FORCED MARCH. 
\(ith. — Last night we made a good long journey, and towards 
morning slept a few hours. The road, though through thick bush 
and sand, is easily followed. I was up and off before the sun 
rose, and towards mid-day we lay down in the shade a short time. 
A small abscess has formed under my toe, causing much pain, 
but with a long stick as a crutch, I have managed to keep up with 
the rest. The night was dark, and the road bad, but we kept on, 
expecting at every fresh start to reach the Gezumba pan^before 
halting. At last we gave in, and lay down beside some thick 
bush for shelter, knowing we were not far from water. 
-L^th. — My toe being very painful, I started before the others 
and hobbled along. A half-hour's walk brought us to the 
Gezumba pan, which is within three hours' walk of Panda-ma- 
tenka. But for my toe I should go on, but shall rest to-day. 
This is the quickest march I have had yet, doing sixty miles in 
one day and two nights. The distance was considered by the 
Bushmen, from whom I got directions as to the road, to be 
a three days' journey. I hope the donkeys feel grateful. I 
certainly felt anything but fresh to-day ; the painful shuffling 
on the outer edge of my foot over the last twenty miles has 
strained all the muscles of my body. I lanced the toe to-day, 
and shall get along nicely to-morrow. 
PANDA-MA-TENKA. 
\Wi. — Felt all right this morning, and was able to walk with 
comparative comfort; so I set off before the rest, and reached 
Panda-ma-tenka about mid-day. It is a little clump of huts 
on the top of slightly rising ground, surrounded by low marsh. 
The Jesuits have built a comfortable-looking house and chapel. 
The rest of the people live in huts, among whom are Mr. Blockley, 
a trader, also a Dutchman, and the wives and families of three 
or four Hottentot hunters, who at present are out hunting. 
Mr. Blockley received me very kindly, and gave me a grass hut 
to live in as long as I may remain here. In a short time my men 
and donkeys arrived, and I settled with them as liberally as I 
could. In the evening I had a long talk with Mr. Blockley. He 
tells me that the river is just now entirely barred against any 
white man crossing. 
