314 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
swamps, and was subject to floods that left nothing 
unsubmerged except the few hillocks on which the 
Marutse had erected some straggling villages, the 
largest of which is called Matonga. The whole expedi¬ 
tion was damp and dreary, and as far as sport was 
concerned absolutely fruitless. Before I reached our 
encampment, when we had only about another mile to 
go, I was seized with a sudden weariness, which in¬ 
creased so rapidly that I was unable to move a step, 
and my servants had to carry me the rest of the way 
back. I understood the symptoms only too well, and 
could come to no other conclusion than that I was in 
the preliminary stage of fever. 
The boatmen were inclined to be very angry because 
we had come back without bringing a supply of game, 
and were also ready to make a disturbance with the 
villagers in Matonga for not procuring them enough 
corn and beer. I began to fear that I should have a 
difficulty with them ; but happily Sekele, the sub¬ 
chieftain who had the oversight of things, took my part 
and brought them to reason. 
During the night one of Moquai’s waiting-women was 
reported to be missing, and it was soon found that she 
had taken her way back towards Sesheke. Some mes¬ 
sengers were sent, who quickly overtook her; she 
proved to be the bride who had been forced into 
marriage against her wishes. 
Continuing our voyage, we entered a narrow side-arm 
of the river lying between the left shore and the most 
northerly of a wooded group of islands, to which I gave 
the name of Rohlf’s Islands. 
Upon the mainland was Sekliose, the most westerly 
of the Masupia settlements, where for many years there 
has been a good system of husbandry, manza and beans 
being grown, as well as other crops. The Marutse only 
grow what they require for their own use, and to make 
up their tribute ; but the Masupias, Batokas, and eastern 
Makalakas do somewhat more than this, selling the 
overplus to the hunters and traders who come from the 
south ; but even they hardly cultivate more than the 
