finally escorting the party to their canoe. All that night and the
following they toiled up the stream, resting during the day, bearing the
roar of the lion occasionally, and often startled by the plop of the
alligators, as they slid off the bank into the water. The afternoon of
the third day only, the camp at Gorongoza was reached, their numbers
reduced by one.

Volume 1, Chapter IX.

GORONGOZA.

"I think," said Hughes, as the two sat outside the small tent, pitched
by the side of the stream, the morning after their return from
Sofala,--"I think we had better remain here for a time."

"I agree with you; and as there is no one to say us No, let it be
decided in the affirmative. There are large quantities of wild ducks,
and our fellows are so expert in finding their eggs, that the great
change to men who have lived so long on nothing but venison must be
beneficial."

"We have plenty of fruit, too, and the ground-nuts are not to be
despised. These cool streams, which seem to take their rise in yonder
mountains, are another inducement. Our lines are at present cast in
pleasant places, and what lies beyond seems uncertain. Let us profit by
the present."

"I want to go over all our baggage, and put our fellows in light
marching order. To look at our little camp now, without waggon or
horses, without cattle, and our numbers so reduced, we seem to resemble
one of the parties so well painted by Cooper in his Indian tales. Who
are those fellows?"

A party of natives were seen approaching, among whom was the Matabele
chief. They were almost naked, but came on with a most assured air,
squatting down in a half circle before the tent, and employing all their
powers in staring stolidly at the strangers.

"Here, Luji," shouted Hughes, who was carefully loading his rifle, "just
see what these fellows want, will you?"

"Want calico, master," said Luji, after a great amount of talk, "give
gold."

The Macomb, for such they were, produced from their waist-belts quills
closed at each end, which contained gold. Some of the grains were of
large size, and one of the natives showed a small lump of the yellow
metal. It was quite evident that they knew where to procure it.

"Does not all this go to prove my theory, Hughes; and are we not
approaching a gold country?"

"Tell them we are not traders, Luji. That we have not any calico; but
ask if there is any large game about."

The scantily-dressed natives squatted on