Chapter 24.

Level Plains—­Vultures and other Birds—­Diversity of Color in Flowers of the same Species—­The Sundew—­Twenty-seventh Attack of Fever—­A River which flows in opposite Directions—­Lake Dilolo the Watershed between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans—­Position of Rocks—­Sir Roderick Murchison’s Explanation—­Characteristics of the Rainy Season in connection with the Floods of the Zambesi and the Nile—­Probable Reason of Difference in Amount of Rain South and North of the Equator—­Arab Reports of Region east of Londa—­Probable Watershed of the Zambesi and the Nile—­Lake Dilolo—­Reach Katema’s Town:  his renewed Hospitality; desire to appear like a White Man; ludicrous Departure—­Jackdaws—­ Ford southern Branch of Lake Dilolo—­Small Fish—­Project for a Makololo Village near the Confluence of the Leeba and the Leeambye—­Hearty Welcome from Shinte—­Kolimbota’s Wound—­Plant-seeds and Fruit-trees brought from Angola—­Masiko and Limboa’s Quarrel—­Nyamoana now a Widow—­Purchase Canoes and descend the Leeba—­Herds of wild Animals on its Banks—­Unsuccessful Buffalo-hunt—­Frogs—­Sinbad and the Tsetse—­ Dispatch a Message to Manenko—­Arrival of her Husband Sambanza—­The Ceremony called Kasendi—­Unexpected Fee for performing a surgical Operation—­Social Condition of the Tribes—­Desertion of Mboenga—­Stratagem of Mambowe Hunters—­Water-turtles—­Charged by a Buffalo—­Reception from the People of Libonta—­Explain the Causes of our long Delay—­Pitsane’s Speech—­Thanksgiving Services—­Appearance of my “Braves”—­Wonderful Kindness of the People.

After leaving the Kasai, we entered upon the extensive level plains which we had formerly found in a flooded condition.  The water on them was not yet dried up, as it still remained in certain hollow spots.  Vultures were seen floating in the air, showing that carrion was to be found; and, indeed, we saw several of the large game, but so exceedingly wild as to be unapproachable.  Numbers of caterpillars mounted the stalks of grass, and many dragonflies and butterflies appeared, though this was winter.  The caprimulgus or goat-sucker, swifts, and different kinds of swallows, with a fiery-red bee-eater in flocks, showed that the lowest temperature here does not destroy the insects on which they feed.  Jet-black larks, with yellow shoulders, enliven the mornings with their songs, but they do not continue so long on the wing as ours, nor soar so high.  We saw many of the pretty white ardea, and other water-birds, flying over the spots not yet dried up; and occasionally wild ducks, but these only in numbers sufficient to remind us that we were approaching the Zambesi, where every water-fowl has a home.