ef, set out for Sesheke. The intermediate country
was perfectly flat, except patches elevated a few feet only above the
surrounding level. There were also numerous mounds, the work of
_termites_, which are literally gigantic structures, and often wild
date-trees were seen growing on them.

The party looked exceedingly picturesque as, the ostrich feathers of the
men waving in the air, they wound in a long line in and out among the
mounds. Some wore red tunics or variously-coloured prints, and their
heads were adorned with the white ends of ox tails or caps made of
lions' manes. The nobles walked with a small club of rhinoceros horn in
their hands, their servants carrying their shields; while the ordinary
men bore burdens, and the battle-axe men, who had their own shields on
their arms, were employed as messengers, often having to run an immense
distance.

The Makololo possess numerous cattle, and the chief, having to feed his
followers, either selected oxen from his own stock or received them from
the head men of the villages through which they passed, as tribute.

Dr Livingstone and the chief had each a little gipsy tent in which they
slept, though the Makololo huts, which are kept tolerably clean,
afforded them accommodation. The best sort of huts consist of three
circular walls, having small holes to serve as doors, through which it
is necessary to creep on all fours. The roof resembles in shape a
Chinaman's hat, and is bound together with circular bands. The
framework is first formed, and it is then lifted to the top of the
circle of poles prepared for supporting it. The roof is next covered
with fine grass and sewed with the same material as the lashings. Women
are the chief builders of huts among the Makololo.

Reaching the village of Katonga on the banks of the Leeambye, some time
was spent there in collecting canoes. During this delay Dr Livingstone
visited the country to the north of the village, where he saw enormous
numbers of buffaloes, zebras, elans, and a beautiful small antelope
called the _tinyane_. He was enabled, by this hunting expedition, to
supply his companions with an abundance of food.

At length, a sufficient number of canoes being collected, they commenced
the ascent of the river. His own canoe had six paddlers, while that of
the chief had ten. They paddled standing upright, and kept stroke with
great exactness. Being flat-bottomed, they can float in very shallow
water. The f