1 88 Seven Years in Central Africa. 
[Oct. 
HUNTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 
October 21st — Have just returned from a week's trip to the 
Lufira. I shot two zebras with which to pay the men who had 
carried me in my hammock. Not having sufificient strength to go 
out hunting, the men promised that they would carry me in my 
hammock to where the game were to be found — a much more 
arduous task than carrying one along a beaten track. Seeing 
they persisted, I was wiUing to give them a chance of having some 
fresh meat ; and we all started early in the morning, the men 
pushing their way through the colossal grasses. The jagged roots 
punished the feet of my men severely, because of the heavy 
weight of my hammock-pole on their shoulders. After travelling 
some miles in this manner, those who had gone on ahead returned 
to say that we must go softly, as we were near some game. Soon 
we came in sight of a large herd of zebra. The men thought 
that I had better get out and do the rest of the hunting on foot. 
But this I gravely declined doing, saying they must carry me 
alongside of the herd. The zebras had not been accustomed to 
be stalked in such a daring manner, and gazed upon us with 
astonishment, allowing my hammock to be carried to within fifty 
yards of them. I then quietly got out, took my gun, sat down on 
a little anthill, and shot the biggest and fattest of the troop. 
Whilst some of the men skinned and cut it up, the others carried 
me safely back to my sleeping quarters. 
The heat was excessive, and in returning we were compelled to 
travel by night, as the men could not endure the sun. At the 
Lufira I could not go out of doors during mid-day hours. On my 
delightful little hill, however, there is always a breeze, and the 
shade is always cool. " Oh, for rain ! " is the cry in every one's 
mouth. All the trees that but a short time ago looked green and 
fresh are beginning to wither and droop. 
I was much struck during my recent trip to the Lufira, while 
traversing the "Mukurru," by the number of villages, especially in 
the eastern part. In the course of two hours I counted forty-three, 
within sight from the road, all of fair size, and all the land between 
was under cultivation. 
A CHANGE IN DICK. 
Since recovering from my last fever Dick has shown signs of 
true conversion. One evening when we were talking together he 
