is people. Stas for some
time hesitated whether he should point out to the negroes the ravine in
which he had hidden the wares and supplies left by Linde, which owing
to want of porters he could not take with him, but reflecting that the
possession of such treasures might evoke envy and discord among them,
awaken covetousness, and embroil the peace of their lives, he abandoned
this design, and, instead, shot a big buffalo and left its meat for a
farewell feast. The sight of such a large amount of "mama" also really
delighted them.

For the following three days the caravan again proceeded through a
desolate country. The days were scorching, but, owing to the high
altitude of the region, the nights were so cold that Stas ordered Mea
to cover Nell with two shaggy coverlets. They now often crossed
mountainous ravines, sometimes barren and rocky, sometimes covered with
vegetation so compact that they could force their way through it only
with the greatest difficulty. At the brinks of these ravines they saw
big apes and sometimes lions and panthers. Stas killed one of them at
the entreaty of Kali, who afterwards dressed himself in its hide in
order that the negroes might at once know that they had to do with a
person of royal blood.

Beyond the ravines, on high table-lands, negro villages again began to
appear. Some lay near together, some at the distance of a day or two.
All were surrounded by high stockades for protection against lions, and
these were so entwined with creepers that even close at hand they
looked like clumps of a virgin forest. Only from the smoke rising from
the middle of the village could one perceive that people dwelt there.
The caravan was everywhere received more or less as at M'Rua's village;
that is, at first with alarm and distrust and afterwards with
admiration, amazement, and esteem. Once only did it happen that the
whole village, at the sight of the elephant, Saba, the horses, and the
white people, ran away to an adjacent forest, so that there was no one
to converse with. Nevertheless, not a spear was aimed against the
travelers, for negroes, until Mohammedanism fills their souls with
cruelties and hatred against infidels, are rather timid and gentle. So
it most frequently happened that Kali ate a "piece" of the local king
and the local king a "piece" of Kali, after which the relations were of
the most friendly character. To the "Good Mzimu," the negroes furnished
evidence of homage and piety in