ndica'. The islands at a little distance seem great rounded masses of
sylvan vegetation reclining on the bosom of the glorious stream. The
beauty of the scenery of some of the islands is greatly increased by the
date-palm, with its gracefully curved fronds and refreshing light green
color, near the bottom of the picture, and the lofty palmyra towering
far above, and casting its feathery foliage against a cloudless sky. It
being winter, we had the strange coloring on the banks which many parts
of African landscape assume. The country adjacent to the river is rocky
and undulating, abounding in elephants and all other large game, except
leches and nakongs, which seem generally to avoid stony ground. The soil
is of a reddish color, and very fertile, as is attested by the great
quantity of grain raised annually by the Banyeti. A great many villages
of this poor and very industrious people are situated on both banks of
the river: they are expert hunters of the hippopotami and other animals,
and very proficient in the manufacture of articles of wood and iron. The
whole of this part of the country being infested with the tsetse, they
are unable to rear domestic animals. This may have led to their skill
in handicraft works. Some make large wooden vessels with very neat lids,
and wooden bowls of all sizes; and since the idea of sitting on stools
has entered the Makololo mind, they have shown great taste in the
different forms given to the legs of these pieces of furniture.

Other Banyeti, or Manyeti, as they are called, make neat and strong
baskets of the split roots of a certain tree, while others excel in
pottery and iron. I can not find that they have ever been warlike.
Indeed, the wars in the centre of the country, where no slave-trade
existed, have seldom been about any thing else but cattle. So well known
is this, that several tribes refuse to keep cattle because they tempt
their enemies to come and steal. Nevertheless, they have no objection to
eat them when offered, and their country admits of being well stocked.
I have heard of but one war having occurred from another cause. Three
brothers, Barolongs, fought for the possession of a woman who was
considered worth a battle, and the tribe has remained permanently
divided ever since.

From the bend up to the north, called Katima-molelo (I quenched fire),
the bed of the river is rocky, and the stream runs fast, forming a
succession of rapids and cataracts, which prevent conti