Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/363

 NOTES BY THE WAY. 335 The two hundred and fifty miles between the river and Kazonndé werc accomplished in what the traders call marches of ten miles each, includîng the halts at night and midday. The journey cannot be better described than by a few rough notes that Dick Sands made upon his way. April 25///. — Saw a village surrounded wîth bamboo palisading, eîght or nine feet high. Fields round planted with maîze, beans, and sorghum. Two ncgrocs captured> fifteen killed, rest took to flight. 26th, — Crossed a torrent 150 yards wîde. Bridge formed of trunks of trces and crecpers. Piles ncarly gave way ; two women fastcned to a fork ; one of them, carrying a baby, fell into the water. Water qiiickly tinged with blood; crocodiles seen undcr bridge ; risk of stepping into thcir very jaws. 28/A. — Crossed a forest of bauhînîas ; grcat trees, the îron-wood of the Portuguese. Heavy rain ; ground sodden ; marching difficult Caught sight of Nan in the middle of caravan ; she was toiling along with a black child in lier arms ; the woman with her limping, and blood trickling from her shoulder. 29///. — Camp at night undcr a huge baobab, with whîte flowers and light green leaves. Lions and léopards roaring ail night. A soldier fired at a panther. What has become of Hercules ? 30///. — Rainy season saîd to be ovcr till November. First touch of African wintcr. Dew very heavy. Plains ail flooded. Eastcrly winds : difficulty of respiration ; susceptibility to fever. No trace of Mrs. Wcldon ; cannot tell whether she îs ahead. Fear Jack may hâve a return of fever. May Stk, — Forced to mardi several stages across flooded plains, water up to the waist ; many lecches sticking to the skin. Lotus and papyrus upon higher ground. Great heavy leaves, like cabbages, bencath the water, make many stumble as they walk. Saw large numbers of little fish, silurus-species ; thèse are caught by the natives, and sold to the caravans.