286 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
stances, for the black rock-masses were almost entirely 
hidden by the indescribably beautiful water draperies, 
the abrupt naked rock-chasms only yawning here and 
there through the white veil of spray. When I saw 
the cataract, the first fall consisted of one long un¬ 
broken shining greenish-blue wave, which, as it sped on 
its farther course, resolved itself into ever finer, whiter, 
and more delicately-rounded cloucl-forms. 
This is the point from which the visitor can obtain 
the grandest view of the incomparable Victoria Falls 
of the Zambesi. Before us we have the full glory of 
the falling mass of water, ever moving, ever changing, 
blustering, foaming, glowing, shining, with small green 
islands peeping over the very edge of the abyss, and on 
the left and right, above and below, water, water 
everywhere, hurrying onwards with a continuous roar 
like thunder. In front of the Falls, where the waters 
from the west and east meet and embrace, hang 
suspended two double circular rainbows, unbroken by 
any horizon, the magic hues glowing in the brilliant 
tropical sunbeams, blue, yellow, and red succeeding 
each other in the outer, and red, yellow, and blue in 
the inner ring. 
Long did I gaze upon this magnificent scene, my 
imagination carrying me away as on the pinions of the 
storm. It seemed to me as if my own small ego had 
become part of the power which raged about me ; as if 
my own identity were swallowed up in the surrounding- 
glory, the voice of which rolled on for ever, like the 
waves of eternity. But I throw down my pen. No 
human being can describe the infinite ; and what I saw 
was a part of infinity made visible and framed in 
beauty. 
How long my dream lasted I do not know. It was 
Sililo who reminded me that it was time to go. His 
shining black hat was dripping with wet, and he was 
shiverino- with cold. I now noticed for the first time 
O 
that I was wet through and through, and following an 
elephant spoor leading through the forest, I was soon 
once more by my fire with my swarthy companions. 
