i882.] 
On the Way to the Zambesi. 
25 
learned enough of the Sechuana language to enable me to get 
on comfortably. So long as I can tell my own story in Sechuana, 
I can always get an interpreter to translate my words into the 
different Zambesi dialects. 
If the Lord does not give me a fellow-labourer from my own 
country, He may be pleased to give me a Christian native willing 
to remain and travel with me. I rejoice to think that it is not 
mine to choose my lot, but it is mine to follow with a willing 
heart; and for this, God giveth "more grace," which is in all 
cases sufficient. 
June 6th. — The danger of taking fever on the Zambesi at this 
time of the year is small. I have now been in the fever district 
for five months — the worst months of the year — and have never 
enjoyed better health ; while many who have been born in the 
country have suffered severely, and not a few have died. 
There are certainly many wild animals all over the country 
through which I shall have to pass ; it is only in hunting these 
animals, however, that there is any real danger. 
Every night, when travelling, the natives cut down a lot of 
thorn bushes, and make with them a thick fence, called a 
"skerm," and two large fires are placed at the opening, thus 
forming a complete protection. Very seldom will a lion break 
into a skerm, although at times they walk round it all night. The 
principal danger is in travelling by night, and where water is 
scarce one is compelled to do so ; but if the party is kept well 
together, and not allowed to scatter, there is very little danger, as 
a lion will not attack a company. 
Once when travelling up the Crocodile River, during the 
night, I was walking behind Mr. Selous' waggon, and a young 
man was driving some loose cattle not far from me. On reaching 
the halting-place, towards morning, the cattle came up all right, 
but the young driver was not with them. Search was made in 
all directions, but without result, and we came to the conclusion 
that a lion had carried him off, even though he was but a little 
distance from the party. 
THE KALAHARI DESERT. 
Near Shoshong, June lotk, 1882. — We have made two days' 
journey into the desert. On leaving Shoshong the white people 
