ed over
with grass, and dotted here and there on the higher slopes with thick
bush of acacias, the haunts of rhinoceros, both white and black; whilst
in the flat of the valley, herds of hartebeests and fine cattle roamed
about like the kiyang and tame yak of Thibet. Then, to enhance all these
pleasure, so different from our former experiences, we were treated like
guests by the chief of the place, who, obeying the orders of his king,
Rumanika, brought me presents, as soon as we arrived, of sheep, fowls,
and sweet potatoes, and was very thankful for a few yards of red
blanketing as a return, without begging for more.

The farther we went in this country the better we liked it, as the
people were all kept in good order; and the village chiefs were so
civil, that we could do as we liked. After following down the left
side of the valley and entering the village, the customary presents and
returns were made. Wishing then to obtain a better view of the country,
I strolled over the nearest hills, and found the less exposed slopes
well covered with trees. Small antelopes occasionally sprang up from
the grass. I shot a florikan for the pot; and as I had never before seen
white rhinoceros, killed one now; though, as no one would eat him, I
felt sorry rather than otherwise for what I had done. When I returned
in the evening, small boys brought me sparrows for sale; and then I
remembered the stories I had heard from Musa Mzuri--that in the whole of
Karague the small birds were so numerous, the people, to save themselves
from starvation were obliged to grow a bitter corn which the birds
disliked; and so I found it. At night, whilst observing for latitude,
I was struck by surprise to see a long noisy procession pass by where I
sat, led by some men who carried on their shoulders a woman covered up
in a blackened skin. On inquiry, however, I heard she was being taken to
the hut of her espoused, where, "bundling fashion," she would be put in
bed; but it was only with virgins they took so much trouble.

A strange but characteristic story now reached my ears. Masudi, the
merchant who took up Insangez, had been trying his best to deter
Rumanika from allowing us to enter his country, by saying we were
addicted to sorcery; and had it not been for Insangez's remonstrances,
who said we were sent up by Musa, our fate would have been doubtful.
Rumanika, it appeared, as I always had heard, considered old Musa his
saviour, for having eight years