They Also Purchased Ten Large New Canoes To Carry It, At The Rate Of Six Strings Of Red Or White Beads, Or Two Fathoms Of Grey Calico, For Each Canoe, And, At The Same Cheap Rate, A Number Of Good-Looking Girls.

CHAPTER VII.

The Victoria Falls of the Zambesi - Marvellous grandeur of the Cataracts - The Makololo's town - The Chief Sekeletu.

During the time we remained at Motunta a splendid meteor was observed to lighten the whole heavens. The observer's back was turned to it, but on looking round the streak of light was seen to remain on its path some seconds. This streak is usually explained to be only the continuance of the impression made by the shining body on the retina. This cannot be, as in this case the meteor was not actually seen and yet the streak was clearly perceived. The rays of planets and stars also require another explanation than that usually given.

Fruit-trees and gigantic wild fig-trees, and circles of stones on which corn safes were placed, with worn grindstones, point out where the villages once stood. The only reason now assigned for this fine country remaining desolate is the fear of fresh visitations by the Matebele. The country now slopes gradually to the west into the Makololo Valley. Two days' march from the Batoka village nearest the highlands, we met with some hunters who were burning the dry grass, in order to attract the game by the fresh vegetation which speedily springs up afterwards.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 209 of 505
Words from 56428 to 56679 of 136856