How I Crossed Africa Volume 2; From the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, Through Unknown Countries Discovery of the Great Zambesi Affluents, &C. by Major

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ...rattling waggons, when, getting up, I walked in that direction to meet them. Madame Coillard had become very anxious at my absence for the entire day with only a lad for company, and the first thing she did when the caravan halted was to make me some tea, a beverage of which she knew me to be inordinately fond, and I find it recorded in my diary that I gulped down six large cupsful of the refreshing liquid. Truly, the havoc that I made in Madame Cuillard's stock of tea was something enormous! The Simoane, which appeared little more than a series of small pools, three yards or so in width, runs westward in the rainy season, and debouches directly into the great Macaricari. The whole of that district, and more especially the forest through which the Simoane runs, gave indications of recent heavy rains, which accounted for the numerous pools of tolerable water that we found in the river-bed. In the dry season they also dry up, saving a few deeper holes; but the water retained in these becomes so saturated with salt that it is utterly useless to man and beast. From the moment of our arriving on the banks of the Nata, and invariably when we came to a halt, we were pestered with Massaruas, who flocked about us, begging. Their importunities, however, ceased if we got angry with them, when they would at once take to their heels. These Massaruas, who are certainly not wanting in courage, as they successfully hunt both the elephant and the lion, are yet timid in the face of man, and more especially of the European. It was not until 4 o'clock that we reached a place where the cattle found pleasant pasture and abundant water; we pushed on, however, again, after a short halt, and camped at 8.30 in an arid spot. On the 19th, having travelled for some four hours in a S.S....