i882.] 
On the Way to the Zambesi. 
31 
FOOD AND WATER ABUNDANT. 
Tontgaru Water ^ J'^h '^^th, 1882. — About lat. 19° 40' S. j 
long. 24° 45' E. I have again an opportunity to despatch a 
letter, for Tinka is sending a message to the chief that we go 
on to the Mababi, as there is plenty of water. It was thought 
by every one that this part of the road was impassable. I was 
told by some of the traders that it was madness to attempt it, 
that my donkeys would die, and there were all sorts of stories 
about perishing of thirst. Exceptionally late rains, however, 
have fallen, and water has not only been found, but large sheets 
of it are in the hollows. 
We are now within a few days' journey of the Mababi, so I 
may start for the Zambesi by the next moon (about July 20th), 
when six days' fair walking will take me to the river. I expect 
to meet Westbeech, the trader, at Leshuma, a small town at the 
junction of the Zambesi and the Chobe rivers. If he is not 
there, he may be at Panda-ma-tenka, which I would reach by 
going down the river bank to the Victoria Falls, and then 
turning south three days. Westbeech understands the country, 
and could supply me with guides to take me on. It is possible 
that he may return southward in December, so I may come with 
him, or at least send letters. 
With all my heart I would desire to give a good report of the 
way the Lord has dealt with me, and filled me with comfort and 
joy- 
Since leaving the Botletle we have been travelling through a 
wild but beautiful country, teeming with game of all sorts. I 
have installed Setobi as my huntsman. The game is large, and 
not difficult to shoot, so that he is well able to keep " the pot " 
supplied. It is surprising, however, to see how much these 
people can eat. Tinka shot two giraffes on Saturday, and by 
Sunday evening a few bones and some strings of meat hung up 
to dry were all that was left, though there were only twenty 
eaters. My own appetite surprises me; but, of course, I am 
living entirely in the open air, and walking a good deal every 
day. 
We are now getting well north, and I feel somehow nearer 
home by being again in sight of the "Great Bear" constellation. 
It is, however, much warmer here. This is the coldest month of 
