ll the
poku after the late Major Vardon, a noble-hearted African traveller; but
fully anticipate that some aspiring Nimrod will prefer that his own name
should go down to posterity on the back of this buck.

Midway between Tabacheu and the Great Falls the streams begin to flow
westward. On the other side they begin to flow east. Large round masses
of granite, somewhat like old castles, tower aloft about the Kalomo. The
country is an elevated plateau, and our men knew and named the different
plains as we passed them by.

On the 13th we met a party from Sekeletu, who was now at Sesheke. Our
approach had been reported, and they had been sent to ask the Doctor what
the price of a horse ought to be; and what he said, that they were to
give and no more. In reply they were told that by their having given
nine large tusks for one horse before the Doctor came, the Griquas would
naturally imagine that the price was already settled. It was exceedingly
amusing to witness the exact imitation they gave of the swagger of a
certain white with whom they had been dealing, and who had, as they had
perceived, evidently wished to assume an air of indifference. Holding up
the head and scratching the beard it was hinted might indicate not
indifference, but vermin. It is well that we do not always know what
they say about us. The remarks are often not quite complimentary, and
resemble closely what certain white travellers say about the blacks.

We made our camp in the afternoon abreast of the large island called
Mparira, opposite the mouth of the Chobe. Francolins, quails, and guinea-
fowls, as well as larger game, were abundant. The Makololo headman,
Mokompa, brought us a liberal present; and in the usual way, which is
considered politeness, regretted he had no milk, as his cows were all
dry. We got some honey here from the very small stingless bee, called,
by the Batoka, moandi, and by others, the kokomatsane. This honey is
slightly acid, and has an aromatic flavour. The bees are easily known
from their habit of buzzing about the eyes, and tickling the skin by
sucking it as common flies do. The hive has a tube of wax like a quill,
for its entrance, and is usually in the hollows of trees.

Mokompa feared that the tribe was breaking up, and lamented the condition
into which they had fallen in consequence of Sekeletu's leprosy; he did
not know what was to become of them. He sent two canoes to take us up to
Sesheke; his best c