out afterwards, that the coast-men were to go shares in the
plunder as soon as we reached Unyamuezi. The next great obstacle
in this tug-and-pull wilderness-march presented itself on the
24th, when, after the first half of the property had crossed the
Mabunguru nullah, it rose in flood and cut off the rear half. It
soon, however, subsided; and the next day we reached "the
Springs," where we killed a pig and two rhinoceros. Not content,
however, with this fare--notwithstanding the whole camp had been
living liberally on zebra's and antelope's flesh every day
previously-- some of my coast-men bolted on to the little
settlement of Jiwa la Mkoa, contrary to orders, to purchase some
grain; and in doing so, increased our transport difficulties.

Pulling on in the same way again--when not actually engaged in
shooting, scolding and storming at the men, to keep them up to
the mark, and prevent them from shirking their work, which they
were for every trying to do--we arrived on the 28th at the
"Boss," a huge granite block, from the top of which the green
foliage of the forest-trees looked like an interminable cloud,
soft and waving, fit for fairies to dwell upon. Here the
patience of my men fairly gave way, for the village of Jiwa la
Mkoa was only one long march distance from us; and they, in
consequence, smelt food on in advance much sweeter than the wild
game and wild grasses they had been living on; and many more of
them could not resist deserting us, though they might, had we all
pulled together, have gone more comfortably in, as soon as the
rear property arrived next day with Baraka.

All the men who deserted on the 25th, save Johur and Mutwana, now
came into camp, and told us they had heard from travellers that