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Seven Years in South Africa.
CHAPTER X.
UP THE ZAMBESI
Departure from Sesheke—The queens’ squadron—First night’s camp—Symptoms of fever—Agricultural advantages of the Zambesi valley—Rapids and cataracts of the central Zambesi—The Mutshila-Aumsinga rapids—A catastrophe—Encampment near Sioma—A conspiracy—Lions around Sioma—My increasing illness.
MANKOË.
On the morning fixed for the start one of the Marutse subchieftains came to me with a message that I was to accompany him to the river side. There I found three of the royal canoes waiting for me; but as they barely sufficed to carry my baggage, I had to ask for a fourth, my servants for the present having to follow on foot.
It was about noon when we quitted Sesheke. We proceeded at good speed past a number of islands, creeks, and lagoons, at which I should have been glad to linger, and could only regret that the
