394 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
I gleaned from the Batokas that an Englishman, 
whom from their description I guess to be Dr. Holden, 
whom I met on my return from the Lake last year, 
has knocked up a shanty close to their State, but he 
has no wagons or horses, and they volunteer to take 
me to him in three days on foot. They tell me he is 
on the banks of a large river, which must be the 
Chobe, and I am doubtful whether to look him up 
or not; if he should have gone, I shall have some 
tremendously hard work for nothing. My gun, ban¬ 
dolier, and ammunition, without which I never stir, 
weigh 18 lbs., and trudging under a broiling sun, 
even without this slight burden, is no easy matter, 
especially when you consider the bill of fare, which 
is flesh of some sort or other, salt, and water; I wish 
I could add bread, but I have no one to carry more 
than my blanket, as my people are all dispersed. 
29th .—After long arguments and reasoning with 
myself, I at last decided to go on foot to the Chobe, 
and learn from Dr. Holden my exact whereabouts, 
and when and where I was likely to reach the great 
Falls of the Zambesi, as I can gain no intelligence 
whatever from the natives, and I now believe firmly 
that none of them know themselves anything about 
it. I appointed to meet the Batokas on the third day, 
after in vain trying by bribery to induce them to come 
with me to the wagon, for I had great doubts in my 
own mind as to my finding the way back some 
twenty miles, without a guide, over so rough and 
broken a country. I reached the wagon in safety, 
