150 ' Seveti Years in Central Africa, 
[Nov. 
Dick'has always a cup of black coffee ready for me, and a mouth- 
ful of food (left perhaps from the previous night's supper), which 
I take by way of breakfast while struggling into my boots. My 
bedding is rolled up by the man who carries it, and who is usually 
importunate and impatient to get off. In the roll which contains 
my bedding I generally have an overcoat, spare clothing, a few 
pieces of calico, and other things which one rnay need during a 
day's journey. The tent is pulled down and bundled up in the 
most unceremonious fashion. A few of the sekulos of the party 
who are hanging over the camp-fire for a final whiff of the com- 
mon pipe — which is passed round from one to another — are 
the last to follow the caravan, which by this time has probably 
crossed a little stream in the hollow, and is disappearing in 
the forest on the other side. These men act as a sort of rear- 
guard, helping any who may have to drop out of the caravan 
to tie up their loads again, and also protecting them against 
robbers. 
One or two halts are made by the way, and much difficulty is 
sometimes encountered in crossing rivers, but all press on bravely 
for the next camping-place, which is generally reached by eleven 
or twelve o'clock in the day. 
Some of the more knowing of the party are then told off to 
scour the country in search of food, while the others busy them- 
selves in making their shelters as snug and comfortable as possible, 
and the ingenuity they manifest in doing so affords me no little 
amusement. Towards evening those who have gone off to pur- 
chase food will return, laden, perhaps, with bunches of Indian- 
corn heads, carried on sticks across their shoulders, and baskets 
filled with sweet potatoes, etc. The Ovimbundu carrier, how- 
ever, depends chiefly for food upon beans, and a thick porridge 
made of maize meal. Of the latter he is able to eat an 
immense quantity, and of its nourishing qualities there can be 
no question ; for such a man seldom takes more than one good 
meal in the twenty-four hours, during which he is able to take 
a long and arduous journey, heavily laden with the white man's 
goods. * 
* This Indian-corn meal was my staple article of food during the greater 
part of my seven years' stay and travel in Africa ; and I found it most whole- 
some and nutritious. 
