the ivory in the neighbourhood for which we had goods to give in
exchange had been purchased, we pushed forward to the north-east to a
country inhabited by tribes which had hitherto had little or no
intercourse with Europeans. It is not, however, my object so much to
describe the people as the adventures we met with. I cannot exactly say
with the naval officer, who, describing the customs of the people he
visited, in his journal wrote, "Of manners they have none, and their
customs are beastly." Savage those we met were in many respects, but
their savagery arose from their ignorance and gross idolatry.

We travelled in a very luxurious manner, compared to our journey with
the single ox across the desert. As we advanced we saw numbers of large
game, and one evening nearly a hundred buffaloes defiled before us in
slow procession, almost within gun-shot, while herds of elands passed us
without showing any signs of fear. We at the moment had abundance of
meat in the camp, or some of them would have fallen victims to our
fire-arms.

The next day, seeing a herd of zebras in the distance, taking my rifle,
I started off, hoping to shoot one of them. As the wind was from them
to me, and as there were some low bushes, I expected to get up to them
within gun-shot, before they perceived me. I was not disappointed; and,
firing, I wounded one of them severely in the leg. The rest of the herd
took to flight, but the wounded animal went off towards our camp, from
which several of our men issued to attack it.

I was walking along leisurely when, hearing the sound of feet in the
direction from which I had come, I turned round and saw a solitary
buffalo galloping towards me. The nearest place of safety was a tree,
but it was upwards of a hundred yards off. I had, of course, reloaded,
and now got my rifle ready, hoping to hit the brute in the forehead.
Just then the thought occurred to me, "What would be my fate should my
gun miss fire?" The buffalo came on at a tremendous speed, but
fortunately a small bush in its way made it swerve slightly and expose
its shoulder. Now was the moment for action, and as I heard the bullet
strike the animal I fell flat on my face. The buffalo bounded on over
my body, apparently not perceiving me. I lay perfectly still. It had
got to a considerable distance, when it was met by the men who had come
out to kill the zebra, and was quickly shot down.

Toko shook his head when he saw me, exclaim