358 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
It soon became evident that nothing could be done 
with Chibero and his “ boys,” so we left the stubborn 
chief, and retraced our steps through the intricacies of 
the path towards the waggon. 
I had failed to satisfy my wishes ; but I had learned 
a useful lesson. In future 1 would not say, “ I wish the 
boys to go with me to Kunyungwi.” As I judged from 
the surprised faces of the natives, the distance to them 
was too great. Then and there I determined to find 
out through the medium of Karemba the name of the 
next chief, whose country lay towards the north-east, 
and thus, from one chief to another, gradually work my 
way through to the Zambesi. The little failure about 
getting boys, reminded me of the warning words uttered 
by Selous, who said, “ Your great difficulty will be to 
get carriers : they do not like to go far from home.” 
Here is what Mr. Kerr has to say about the poor 
Mashonas. 
A persecuted and hunted race are the poor Mashona. 
Dwelling in the mountain fastnesses, where their towns 
are hidden in most inaccessible spots amidst the great 
igneous belts which form such a prominent characteristic 
of the landscape, their huts are exceedingly primitive 
in construction, thatched with wild coarse grass, and 
usually perched upon the summit of isolated rocks. The 
only means of communication are, in some cases, a rough 
notched pole, which they can pull quickly up in the 
event of attack so as to make their retreat secure, or 
through innumerable intricate windings among their 
o o o 
almost impenetrable rocky environment. 
Many a time, as I dodged through the wild, goblin¬ 
like caverns of the place, did I think how thoroughly 
harassing, if not demoralising, it would be for an 
aggressive army to fight its way through the maze. 
Single rank would be the only formation that could 
advance, and men looking for their next uncertain foot¬ 
hold would be sure to be annihilated either from above, 
or from the innumerable black devils’ gates which 
abound on every side, and in which the Mashona crouch 
during the attacks of the foe. In spite of all these 
