BETWEEN ANGOLA AND TIIE ZAMBESI. 519 
aquatic vegetation, which displayed upon the surface of 
the water a vast wealth of beautiful flowers. So thick 
were the clusters of Victoria-regias and many species of 
the Nenuphar, that at times they held us as in a net. 
On one occasion we were so imprisoned that I fully 
expected an upset, and in imagination saw those dark- 
skinned nymphs and myself struggling in the water 
among the crocodiles. No such mishap, however, 
occurred. By a skilful manoeuvre of the paddles we 
were set free, and Opudo then found her tongue. “ It 
is too late now,” she said, “ to go to our father’s house. 
