[37] Heleotragus Vardonii.

[38] The tamarind does the same thing in the heat of the day.

[39] A species of kingfisher, which stands flapping its wings and attempting to sing in a ridiculous manner.  It never was better described than by one observer who, after watching it through its performance, said it was “a toy-shoppy bird.”—­ED.

[40] Not the great chief near Lake Moero of the same name.

[41] This extraordinary bird flies from tree to tree in front of the hunter, chirrupping loudly, and will not be content till he arrives at the spot where the bees’-nest is; it then waits quietly till the honey is taken, and feeds on the broken morsels of comb which fall to its share.

[42] Eleusine Coracana.

[43] It may not be altogether without interest to state that Livingstone could fall asleep when he wished at the very shortest notice.  A mat, and a shady tree under which to spread it, would at any time afford him a refreshing sleep, and this faculty no doubt contributed much to his great powers of endurance.—­ED.

[44] When the elephant becomes confused by the yelping pack of dogs with which he is surrounded, the hunter stealthily approaches behind, and with one blow of a sharp axe hamstrings the huge beast.—­ED.

[45] Raphia.

[46] Top of mountain (barometer) 6338 feat.

[47] The experience of all African sportsmen tends towards the same conclusion.  Vultures probably have their beats high overhead in the sky, too far to be seen by the eye.  From this altitude they can watch a vast tract of country, and whenever the disturbed movements of game are observed they draw together, and for the first time are seen wheeling, about at a great height over the spot.  So soon as an animal is killed, every tree is filled with them, but the hunter has only to cover the meat with boughs or reeds and the vultures are entirely at a loss—­hidden, from view it is hidden altogether:  the idea that they are attracted by their keen sense of smell is altogether erroneous,—­ED.

[48] These letters reached England safely.

[49] It seems almost too ridiculous to believe that we have here the exact equivalent of the schoolboy’s demonstrative “Do you see any green in my eye?” nevertheless it looks wonderfully like it!—­ED.

CHAPTER VIII.

Chitapangwa’s parting oath.  Course laid for Lake Tanganyika.  Moamba’s village.  Another watershed.  The Babemba tribe.  Ill with fever.  Threatening attitude of Chibue’s people.  Continued illness.  Reaches cliffs overhanging Lake Liemba.  Extreme beauty of the scene.  Dangerous fit of insensibility.  Leaves the Lake.  Pernambuco cotton.  Rumours of war between Arabs and Nsama.  Reaches Chitimba’s village.  Presents Sultan’s letter to principal Arab Harnees.  The war in Itawa.  Geography of the Arabs.  Ivory traders and slave-dealers.  Appeal to the Koran.  Gleans intelligence of the Wasongo to the eastward, and their chief, Merere.  Harnees sets out against Nsama.  Tedious sojourn.  Departure for Ponda.  Native cupping.