standing quite perfect.  The mortars for pounding corn—­the stones for grinding it—­the water and beer pots—­the empty corn-safes and kitchen utensils, were all untouched; and most of the doors were shut, as if the starving owners had gone out to wander in search of roots or fruits in the forest, and had never returned.  When opened, several huts revealed a ghastly sight of human skeletons.  Some were seen in such unnatural positions, as to give the idea that they had expired in a faint, when trying to reach something to allay the gnawings of hunger.

We took several of the men as far as the Mukuru-Madse for the sake of the change of air and for occupation, and also to secure for the ships a supply of buffalo meat—­as those animals were reported to be in abundance on that stream.  But though it was evident from the tracks that the report was true, it was impossible to get a glimpse of them.  The grass being taller than we were, and pretty thickly planted, they always knew of our approach before we saw them.  And the first intimation we had of their being near was the sound they made in rushing over the stones, breaking the branches, and knocking their horns against each other.  Once, when seeking a ford for the cart, at sunrise, we saw a herd slowly wending up the hill-side from the water.  Sending for a rifle, and stalking with intense eagerness for a fat beefsteak, instead of our usual fare of salted provisions, we got so near that we could hear the bulls uttering their hoarse deep low, but could see nothing except the mass of yellow grass in front; suddenly the buffalo-birds sounded their alarm-whistle, and away dashed the troop, and we got sight of neither birds nor beasts.  This would be no country for a sportsman except when the grass is short.  The animals are wary, from the dread they have of the poisoned arrows.  Those of the natives who do hunt are deeply imbued with the hunting spirit, and follow the game with a stealthy perseverance and cunning, quite extraordinary.  The arrow making no noise, the herd is followed up until the poison takes effect, and the wounded animal falls out.  It is then patiently watched till it drops—­a portion of meat round the wound is cut away, and all the rest eaten.

Poisoned arrows are made in two pieces.  An iron barb is firmly fastened to one end of a small wand of wood, ten inches or a foot long, the other end of which, fined down to a long point, is nicely fitted, though not otherwise secured, in the hollow of the reed, which forms the arrow shaft.  The wood immediately below the iron head is smeared with the poison.  When the arrow is shot into an animal, the reed either falls to the ground at once, or is very soon brushed off by the bushes; but the iron barb and poisoned upper part of the wood remain in the wound.  If made in one piece, the arrow would often be torn out, head and all, by the long shaft catching in the underwood, or striking against trees.  The poison used here, and called kombi, is