Sandia gave us two guides; and on the 4th of June we left the Elephant valley, taking a westerly course; and, after crossing a few ridges4, entered the Chingerere or Paguruguru valley, through which, in the rainy season, runs the streamlet Pajodze. The mountains on our left, between us and the Zambesi, our guides told us have the same name as the valley, but that at the confluence5 of the Pajodze is called Morumbwa. We struck the river at less than half a mile to the north of the cataract6 Morumbwa. On climbing up the base of this mountain at Pajodze, we found that we were distant only the diameter of the mountain from the cataract. In measuring the cataract we formerly7 stood on its southern flank; now we were perched on its northern flank, and at once recognized the onion-shaped mountain, here called Zakavuma, whose smooth convex surface overlooks the broken water. Its bearing by compass was l80 degrees from the spot to which we had climbed, and 700 or 800 yards distant. We now, from this standing-point, therefore, completed our inspection8 of all Kebrabasa, and saw what, as a whole, was never before seen by Europeans so far as any records show.
The remainder of the Kebrabasa path, on to Chicova, was close to the compressed and rocky river. Ranges of lofty tree-covered mountains, with deep narrow valleys, in which are dry watercourses, or flowing rivulets10, stretch from the north-west, and are prolonged on the opposite side of the river in a south-easterly direction. Looking back, the mountain scenery in Kebrabasa was magnificent; conspicuous11 from their form and steep sides, are the two gigantic portals of the cataract; the vast forests still wore their many brilliant autumnal-coloured tints12 of green, yellow, red, purple, and brown, thrown into relief by the grey bark of the trunks in the background. Among these variegated13 trees were some conspicuous for their new livery of fresh light-green leaves, as though the winter of others was their spring. The bright sunshine in these mountain forests, and the ever-changing forms of the cloud shadows, gliding14 over portions of the surface, added fresh charms to scenes already surpassingly beautiful.
From what we have seen of the Kebrabasa rocks and rapids, it appears too evident that they must always form a barrier to navigation at the ordinary low water of the river; but the rise of the water in this gorge15 being as much as eighty feet perpendicularly16, it is probable that a steamer might be taken up at high flood, when all the rapids are smoothed over, to run on the Upper Zambesi. The most formidable cataract in it, Morumbwa, has only about twenty feet of fall, in a distance of thirty yards, and it must entirely17 disappear when the water stands eighty feet higher. Those of the Makololo who worked on board the ship were not sorry at the steamer being left below, as they had become heartily18 tired of cutting the wood that the insatiable furnace of the “Asthmatic” required. Mbia, who was a bit of a wag, laughingly exclaimed in broken English, “Oh, Kebrabasa good, very good; no let shippee up to Sekeletu, too muchee work, cuttee woodyee, cuttee woodyee: Kebrabasa good.” It is currently reported, and commonly believed, that once upon a time a Portuguese19 named Jose Pedra — by the natives called Nyamatimbira — chief, or capitao mor, of Zumbo, a man of large enterprise and small humanity,- -being anxious to ascertain20 if Kebrabasa could be navigated21, made two slaves fast to a canoe, and launched it from Chicova into Kebrabasa, in order to see if it would come out at the other end. As neither slaves nor canoe ever appeared again, his Excellency concluded that Kebrabasa was unnavigable. A trader had a large canoe swept away by a sudden rise of the river, and it was found without damage below; but the most satisfactory information was that of old Sandia, who asserted that in flood all Kebrabasa became quite smooth, and he had often seen it so.
We emerged from the thirty-five or forty miles of Kebrabasa hills into the Chicova plains on the 7th of June, 1860, having made short marches all the way. The cold nights caused some of our men to cough badly, and colds in this country almost invariably become fever. The Zambesi suddenly expands at Chicova, and assumes the size and appearance it has at Tette. Near this point we found a large seam of coal exposed in the left bank.
We met with native travellers occasionally. Those on a long journey carry with them a sleeping-mat and wooden pillow, cooking-pot and bag of meal, pipe and tobacco-pouch, a knife, bow, and arrows, and two small sticks, of from two to three feet in length, for making fire, when obliged to sleep away from human habitations. Dry wood is always abundant, and they get fire by the following method. A notch22 is cut in one of the sticks, which, with a close-grained outside, has a small core of pith, and this notched23 stick is laid horizontally on a knife-blade on the ground; the operator squatting24, places his great toes on each end to keep all steady, and taking the other wand which is of very hard wood cut to a blunt point, fits it into the notch at right angles; the upright wand is made to spin rapidly backwards25 and forwards between the palms of the hands, drill fashion, and at the same time is pressed downwards26; the friction27, in the course of a minute or so, ignites portions of the pith of the notched stick, which, rolling over like live charcoal28 on to the knife-blade, are lifted into a handful of fine dry grass, and carefully blown, by waving backwards and forwards in the air. It is hard work for the hands to procure29 fire by this process, as the vigorous drilling and downward pressure requisite30 soon blister31 soft palms.
Having now entered a country where lions were numerous, our men began to pay greater attention to the arrangements of the camp at night. As they are accustomed to do with their chiefs, they place the white men in the centre; Kanyata, his men, and the two donkeys, camp on our right; Tuba Mokoro’s party of Bashubia are in front; Masakasa, and Sininyane’s body of Batoka, on the left; and in the rear six Tette men have their fires. In placing their fires they are careful to put them where the smoke will not blow in our faces. Soon after we halt, the spot for the English is selected, and all regulate their places accordingly, and deposit their burdens. The men take it by turns to cut some of the tall dry grass, and spread it for our beds on a spot, either naturally level, or smoothed by the hoe; some, appointed to carry our bedding, then bring our rugs and karosses, and place the three rugs in a row on the grass; Dr. Livingstone’s being in the middle, Dr. Kirk’s on the right, and Charles Livingstone’s on the left. Our bags, rifles, and revolvers are carefully placed at our heads, and a fire made near our feet. We have no tent nor covering of any kind except the branches of the tree under which we may happen to lie; and it is a pretty sight to look up and see every branch, leaf, and twig33 of the tree stand out, reflected against the clear star-spangled and moonlit sky. The stars of the first magnitude have names which convey the same meaning over very wide tracts35 of country. Here when Venus comes out in the evenings, she is called Ntanda, the eldest37 or first-born, and Manjika, the first-born of morning, at other times: she has so much radiance when shining alone, that she casts a shadow. Sirius is named Kuewa usiko, “drawer of night,” because supposed to draw the whole night after it. The moon has no evil influence in this country, so far as we know. We have lain and looked up at her, till sweet sleep closed our eyes, unharmed. Four or five of our men were affected38 with moon-blindness at Tette; though they had not slept out of doors there, they became so blind that their comrades had to guide their hands to the general dish of food; the affection is unknown in their own country. When our posterity39 shall have discovered what it is which, distinct from foul40 smells, causes fever, and what, apart from the moon, causes men to be moon-struck, they will pity our dulness of perception.
The men cut a very small quantity of grass for themselves, and sleep in fumbas or sleeping-bags, which are double mats of palm-leaf, six feet long by four wide, and sewn together round three parts of the square, and left open only on one side. They are used as a protection from the cold, wet, and mosquitoes, and are entered as we should get into our beds, were the blankets nailed to the top, bottom, and one side of the bedstead.
A dozen fires are nightly kindled41 in the camp; and these, being replenished42 from time to time by the men who are awakened43 by the cold, are kept burning until daylight. Abundance of dry hard wood is obtained with little trouble; and burns beautifully. After the great business of cooking and eating is over, all sit round the camp-fires, and engage in talking or singing. Every evening one of the Batoka plays his “sansa,” and continues at it until far into the night; he accompanies it with an extempore song, in which he rehearses their deeds ever since they left their own country. At times animated44 political discussions spring up, and the amount of eloquence45 expended46 on these occasions is amazing. The whole camp is aroused, and the men shout to one another from the different fires; whilst some, whose tongues are never heard on any other subject, burst forth47 into impassioned speech.
As a specimen48 of our mode of marching, we rise about five, or as soon as dawn appears, take a cup of tea and a bit of biscuit; the servants fold up the blankets and stow them away in the bags they carry; the others tie their fumbas and cooking-pots to each end of their carrying-sticks, which are borne on the shoulder; the cook secures the dishes, and all are on the path by sunrise. If a convenient spot can be found we halt for breakfast about nine a.m. To save time, this meal is generally cooked the night before, and has only to be warmed. We continue the march after breakfast, rest a little in the middle of the day, and break off early in the afternoon. We average from two to two-and-a-half miles an hour in a straight line, or as the crow flies, and seldom have more than five or six hours a day of actual travel. This in a hot climate is as much as a man can accomplish without being oppressed; and we always tried to make our progress more a pleasure than a toil49. To hurry over the ground, abuse, and look ferocious50 at one’s native companions, merely for the foolish vanity of boasting how quickly a distance was accomplished52, is a combination of silliness with absurdity53 quite odious54; while kindly55 consideration for the feelings of even blacks, the pleasure of observing scenery and everything new as one moves on at an ordinary pace, and the participation56 in the most delicious rest with our fellows, render travelling delightful57. Though not given to over haste, we were a little surprised to find that we could tire our men out; and even the headman, who carried but little more than we did, and never, as we often had to do, hunted in the afternoon, was no better than his comrades. Our experience tends to prove that the European constitution has a power of endurance, even in the tropics, greater than that of the hardiest58 of the meat-eating Africans.
After pitching our camp, one or two of us usually go off to hunt, more as a matter of necessity than of pleasure, for the men, as well as ourselves, must have meat. We prefer to take a man with us to carry home the game, or lead the others to where it lies; but as they frequently grumble59 and complain of being tired, we do not particularly object to going alone, except that it involves the extra labour of our making a second trip to show the men where the animal that has been shot is to be found. When it is a couple of miles off it is rather fatiguing60 to have to go twice; more especially on the days when it is solely61 to supply their wants that, instead of resting ourselves, we go at all. Like those who perform benevolent62 deeds at home, the tired hunter, though trying hard to live in charity with all men, is strongly tempted63 to give it up by bringing only sufficient meat for the three whites and leaving the rest; thus sending the “idle ungrateful poor” supperless to bed. And yet it is only by continuance in well-doing, even to the length of what the worldly-wise call weakness, that the conviction is produced anywhere, that our motives64 are high enough to secure sincere respect.
A jungle of mimosa, ebony, and “wait-a-bit” thorn lies between the Chicova flats and the cultivated plain, on which stand the villages of the chief, Chitora. He brought us a present of food and drink, because, as he, with the innate65 politeness of an African, said, he “did not wish us to sleep hungry: he had heard of the Doctor when he passed down, and had a great desire to see and converse66 with him; but he was a child then, and could not speak in the presence of great men. He was glad that he had seen the English now, and was sorry that his people were away, or he should have made them cook for us.” All his subsequent conduct showed him to be sincere.
Many of the African women are particular about the water they use for drinking and cooking, and prefer that which is filtered through sand. To secure this, they scrape holes in the sandbanks beside the stream, and scoop67 up the water, which slowly filters through, rather than take it from the equally clear and limpid68 river. This practice is common in the Zambesi, the Rovuma, and Lake Nyassa; and some of the Portuguese at Tette have adopted the native custom, and send canoes to a low island in the middle of the river for water. Chitora’s people also obtained their supply from shallow wells in the sandy bed of a small rivulet9 close to the village. The habit may have arisen from observing the unhealthiness of the main stream at certain seasons. During nearly nine months in the year, ordure is deposited around countless69 villages along the thousands of miles drained by the Zambesi. When the heavy rains come down, and sweep the vast fetid accumulation into the torrents70, the water is polluted with filth71; and, but for the precaution mentioned, the natives would prove themselves as little fastidious as those in London who drink the abomination poured into the Thames by Reading and Oxford72. It is no wonder that sailors suffered so much from fever after drinking African river water, before the present admirable system of condensing it was adopted in our navy.
The scent73 of man is excessively terrible to game of all kinds, much more so, probably, than the sight of him. A herd74 of antelopes75, a hundred yards off, gazed at us as we moved along the winding76 path, and timidly stood their ground until half our line had passed, but darted77 off the instant they “got the wind,” or caught the flavour of those who had gone by. The sport is all up with the hunter who gets to the windward of the African beast, as it cannot stand even the distant aroma78 of the human race, so much dreaded80 by all wild animals. Is this the fear and the dread79 of man, which the Almighty81 said to Noah was to be upon every beast of the field? A lion may, while lying in wait for his prey82, leap on a human being as he would on any other animal, save a rhinoceros83 or an elephant, that happened to pass; or a lioness, when she has cubs84, might attack a man, who, passing “up the wind of her,” had unconsciously, by his scent, alarmed her for the safety of her whelps; or buffaloes85, amid other animals, might rush at a line of travellers, in apprehension86 of being surrounded by them; but neither beast nor snake will, as a general rule, turn on man except when wounded, or by mistake. If gorillas87, unwounded, advance to do battle with him, and beat their breasts in defiance88, they are an exception to all wild beasts known to us. From the way an elephant runs at the first glance of man, it is inferred that this huge brute89, though really king of beasts, would run even from a child.
Our two donkeys caused as much admiration90 as the three white men. Great was the astonishment91 when one of the donkeys began to bray92. The timid jumped more than if a lion had roared beside them. All were startled, and stared in mute amazement93 at the harsh-voiced one, till the last broken note was uttered; then, on being assured that nothing in particular was meant, they looked at each other, and burst into a loud laugh at their common surprise. When one donkey stimulated94 the other to try his vocal95 powers, the interest felt by the startled visitors, must have equalled that of the Londoners, when they first crowded to see the famous hippopotamus.
We were now, when we crossed the boundary rivulet Nyamatarara, out of Chicova and amongst sandstone rocks, similar to those which prevail between Lupata and Kebrabasa. In the latter gorge, as already mentioned, igneous96 and syenitic masses have been acted on by some great fiery97 convulsion of nature; the strata98 are thrown into a huddled99 heap of confusion. The coal has of course disappeared in Kebrabasa, but is found again in Chicova. Tette grey sandstone is common about Sinjere, and wherever it is seen with fossil wood upon it, coal lies beneath; and here, as at Chicova, some seams crop out on the banks of the Zambesi. Looking southwards, the country is open plain and woodland, with detached hills and mountains in the distance; but the latter are too far off, the natives say, for them to know their names. The principal hills on our right, as we look up stream, are from six to twelve miles away, and occasionally they send down spurs to the river, with brooks100 flowing through their narrow valleys. The banks of the Zambesi show two well-defined terraces; the first, or lowest, being usually narrow, and of great fertility, while the upper one is a dry grassy101 plain, a thorny102 jungle, or a mopane (Bauhinia) forest. One of these plains, near the Kafue, is covered with the large stumps103 and trunks of a petrified104 forest. We halted a couple of days by the fine stream Sinjere, which comes from the Chiroby-roby hills, about eight miles to the north. Many lumps of coal, brought down by the rapid current, lie in its channel. The natives never seem to have discovered that coal would burn, and, when informed of the fact, shook their heads, smiled incredulously, and said “Kodi” (really), evidently regarding it as a mere51 traveller’s tale. They were astounded105 to see it burning freely on our fire of wood. They told us that plenty of it was seen among the hills; but, being long ago aware that we were now in an immense coalfield, we did not care to examine it further.
A dyke106 of black basaltic rock, called Kakolole, crosses the river near the mouth of the Sinjere; but it has two open gateways107 in it of from sixty to eighty yards in breadth, and the channel is very deep.
On a shallow sandbank, under the dyke, lay a herd of hippopotami in fancied security. The young ones were playing with each other like young puppies, climbing on the backs of their dams, trying to take hold of one another by the jaws108 and tumbling over into the water. Mbia, one of the Makololo, waded109 across to within a dozen yards of the drowsy110 beasts, and shot the father of the herd; who, being very fat, soon floated, and was secured at the village below. The headman of the village visited us while we were at breakfast. He wore a black “ife” wig34 and a printed shirt. After a short silence he said to Masakasa, “You are with the white people, so why do you not tell them to give me a cloth?” “We are strangers,” answered Masakasa, “why do you not bring us some food?” He took the plain hint, and brought us two fowls111, in order that we should not report that in passing him we got nothing to eat; and, as usual, we gave a cloth in return. In reference to the hippopotamus he would make no demand, but said he would take what we chose to give him. The men gorged112 themselves with meat for two days, and cut large quantities into long narrow strips, which they half-dried and half-roasted on wooden frames over the fire. Much game is taken in this neighbourhood in pitfalls114. Sharp-pointed32 stakes are set in the bottom, on which the game tumbles and gets impaled115. The natives are careful to warn strangers of these traps, and also of the poisoned beams suspended on the tall trees for the purpose of killing116 elephants and hippopotami. It is not difficult to detect the pitfalls after one’s attention has been called to them; but in places where they are careful to carry the earth off to a distance, and a person is not thinking of such things, a sudden descent of nine feet is an experience not easily forgotten by the traveller. The sensations of one thus instantaneously swallowed up by the earth are peculiar117. A momentary118 suspension of consciousness is followed by the rustling119 sound of a shower of sand and dry grass, and the half-bewildered thought of where he is, and how he came into darkness. Reason awakes to assure him that he must have come down through that small opening of daylight overhead, and that he is now where a hippopotamus ought to have been. The descent of a hippopotamus pitfall113 is easy, but to get out again into the upper air is a work of labour. The sides are smooth and treacherous120, and the cross reeds, which support the covering, break in the attempt to get out by clutching them. A cry from the depths is unheard by those around, and it is only by repeated and most desperate efforts that the buried alive can regain121 the upper world. At Tette we are told of a white hunter, of unusually small stature122, who plumped into a pit while stalking a guinea-fowl on a tree. It was the labour of an entire forenoon to get out; and he was congratulating himself on his escape, and brushing off the clay from his clothes, when down he went into a second pit, which happened, as is often the case, to be close beside the first, and it was evening before he could work himself out of THAT.
Elephants and buffaloes seldom return to the river by the same path on two successive nights, they become so apprehensive123 of danger from this human art. An old elephant will walk in advance of the herd, and uncover the pits with his trunk, that the others may see the openings and tread on firm ground. Female elephants are generally the victims: more timid by nature than the males, and very motherly in their anxiety for their calves124, they carry their trunks up, trying every breeze for fancied danger, which often in reality lies at their feet. The tusker, fearing less, keeps his trunk down, and, warned in time by that exquisitely125 sensitive organ, takes heed126 to his ways.
Our camp on the Sinjere stood under a wide-spreading wild fig127-tree. From the numbers of this family, of large size, dotted over the country, the fig or banyan128 species would seem to have been held sacred in Africa from the remotest times. The soil teemed129 with white ants, whose clay tunnels, formed to screen them from the eyes of birds, thread over the ground, up the trunks of trees, and along the branches, from which the little architects clear away all rotten or dead wood. Very often the exact shape of branches is left in tunnels on the ground and not a bit of the wood inside. The first night we passed here these destructive insects ate through our grass-beds, and attacked our blankets, and certain large red-headed ones even bit our flesh.
On some days not a single white ant is to be seen abroad; and on others, and during certain hours, they appear out of doors in myriads130, and work with extraordinary zeal131 and energy in carrying bits of dried grass down into their nests. During these busy reaping-fits the lizards132 and birds have a good time of it, and enjoy a rich feast at the expense of thousands of hapless workmen; and when they swarm133 they are caught in countless numbers by the natives, and their roasted bodies are spoken of in an unctuous134 manner as resembling grains of soft rice fried in delicious fresh oil.
A strong marauding party of large black ants attacked a nest of white ones near the camp: as the contest took place beneath the surface, we could not see the order of the battle; but it soon became apparent that the blacks had gained the day, and sacked the white town, for they returned in triumph, bearing off the eggs, and choice bits of the bodies of the vanquished135. A gift, analogous136 to that of language, has not been withheld137 from ants: if part of their building is destroyed, an official is seen coming out to examine the damage; and, after a careful survey of the ruins, he chirrups a few clear and distinct notes, and a crowd of workers begin at once to repair the breach138. When the work is completed, another order is given, and the workmen retire, as will appear on removing the soft freshly-built portion. We tried to sleep one rainy might in a native hut, but could not because of attacks by the fighting battalions139 of a very small species of formica, not more than one-sixteenth of an inch in length. It soon became obvious that they were under regular discipline, and even attempting to carry out the skilful140 plans and stratagems141 of some eminent142 leader. Our hands and necks were the first objects of attack. Large bodies of these little pests were massed in silence round the point to be assaulted. We could hear the sharp shrill143 word of command two or three times repeated, though until then we had not believed in the vocal power of an ant; the instant after we felt the storming hosts range over head and neck, biting the tender skin, clinging with a death-grip to the hair, and parting with their jaws rather than quit their hold. On our lying down again in the hope of their having been driven off, no sooner was the light out, and all still, than the manoeuvre144 was repeated. Clear and audible orders were issued, and the assault renewed. It was as hard to sleep in that hut as in the trenches145 before Sebastopol. The white ant, being a vegetable feeder, devours146 articles of vegetable origin only, and leather, which, by tanning, is imbued147 with a vegetable flavour. “A man may be rich today and poor tomorrow, from the ravages148 of white ants,” said a Portuguese merchant. “If he gets sick, and unable to look after his goods, his slaves neglect them, and they are soon destroyed by these insects.” The reddish ant, in the west called drivers, crossed our path daily, in solid columns an inch wide, and never did the pugnacity149 of either man or beast exceed theirs. It is a sufficient cause of war if you only approach them, even by accident. Some turn out of the ranks and stand with open mandibles, or, charging with extended jaws, bite with savage150 ferocity. When hunting, we lighted among them too often; while we were intent on the game, and without a thought of ants, they quietly covered us from head to foot, then all began to bite at the same instant; seizing a piece of the skin with their powerful pincers, they twisted themselves round with it, as if determined151 to tear it out. Their bites are so terribly sharp that the bravest must run, and then strip to pick off those that still cling with their hooked jaws, as with steel forceps. This kind abounds152 in damp places, and is usually met with on the banks of streams. We have not heard of their actually killing any animal except the Python, and that only when gorged and quite lethargic153, but they soon clear away any dead animal matter; this appears to be their principal food, and their use in the economy of nature is clearly in the scavenger154 line.
We started from the Sinjere on the 12th of June, our men carrying with them bundles of hippopotamus meat for sale, and for future use. We rested for breakfast opposite the Kakolole dyke, which confines the channel, west of the Manyerere mountain. A rogue155 monkey, the largest by far that we ever saw, and very fat and tame, walked off leisurely156 from a garden as we approached. The monkey is a sacred animal in this region, and is never molested157 or killed, because the people believe devoutly158 that the souls of their ancestors now occupy these degraded forms, and anticipate that they themselves must, sooner or later, be transformed in like manner; a future as cheerless for the black as the spirit-rapper’s heaven is for the whites. The gardens are separated from each other by a single row of small stones, a few handfuls of grass, or a slight furrow159 made by the hoe. Some are enclosed by a reed fence of the flimsiest construction, yet sufficient to keep out the ever wary160 hippopotamus, who dreads161 a trap. His extreme caution is taken advantage of by the women, who hang, as a miniature trap-beam, a kigelia fruit with a bit of stick in the end. This protects the maize162, of which he is excessively fond.
The quantity of hippopotamus meat eaten by our men made some of them ill, and our marches were necessarily short. After three hours’ travel on the 13th, we spent the remainder of the day at the village of Chasiribera, on a rivulet flowing through a beautiful valley to the north, which is bounded by magnificent mountain-ranges. Pinkwe, or Mbingwe, otherwise Moeu, forms the south-eastern angle of the range. On the 16th June we were at the flourishing village of Senga, under the headman Manyame, which lies at the foot of the mount Motemwa. Nearly all the mountains in this country are covered with open forest and grass, in colour, according to the season, green or yellow. Many are between 2000 and 3000 feet high, with the sky line fringed with trees; the rocks show just sufficiently163 for one to observe their stratification, or their granitic164 form, and though not covered with dense165 masses of climbing plants, like those in moister eastern climates, there is still the idea conveyed that most of the steep sides are fertile, and none give the impression of that barrenness which, in northern mountains, suggests the idea that the bones of the world are sticking through its skin.
The villagers reported that we were on the footsteps of a Portuguese half-caste, who, at Senga, lately tried to purchase ivory, but, in consequence of his having murdered a chief near Zumbo and twenty of his men, the people declined to trade with him. He threatened to take the ivory by force, if they would not sell it; but that same night the ivory and the women were spirited out of the village, and only a large body of armed men remained. The trader, fearing that he might come off second best if it came to blows, immediately departed. Chikwanitsela, or Sekuanangila, is the paramount166 chief of some fifty miles of the northern bank of the Zambesi in this locality. He lives on the opposite, or southern side, and there his territory is still more extensive. We sent him a present from Senga, and were informed by a messenger next morning that he had a cough and could not come over to see us. “And has his present a cough too,” remarked one of our party, “that it does not come to us? Is this the way your chief treats strangers, receives their present, and sends them no food in return?” Our men thought Chikwanitsela an uncommonly167 stingy fellow; but, as it was possible that some of them might yet wish to return this way, they did not like to scold him more than this, which was sufficiently to the point.
Men and women were busily engaged in preparing the ground for the November planting. Large game was abundant; herds168 of elephants and buffaloes came down to the river in the night, but were a long way off by daylight. They soon adopt this habit in places where they are hunted.
The plains we travel over are constantly varying in breadth, according as the furrowed169 and wooded hills approach or recede170 from the river. On the southern side we see the hill Bungwe, and the long, level, wooded ridge3 Nyangombe, the first of a series bending from the S.E. to the N.W. past the Zambesi. We shot an old pallah on the 16th, and found that the poor animal had been visited with more than the usual share of animal afflictions. He was stone-blind in both eyes, had several tumours171, and a broken leg, which showed no symptoms of ever having begun to heal. Wild animals sometimes suffer a great deal from disease, and wearily drag on a miserable172 existence before relieved of it by some ravenous173 beast. Once we drove off a maneless lion and lioness from a dead buffalo, which had been in the last stage of a decline. They had watched him staggering to the river to quench174 his thirst, and sprang on him as he was crawling up the bank. One had caught him by the throat, and the other by his high projecting backbone175, which was broken by the lion’s powerful fangs176. The struggle, if any, must have been short. They had only eaten the intestines177 when we frightened them off. It is curious that this is the part that wild animals always begin with, and that it is also the first choice of our men. Were it not a wise arrangement that only the strongest males should continue the breed, one could hardly help pitying the solitary178 buffalo expelled from the herd for some physical blemish179, or on account of the weakness of approaching old age. Banished180 from female society, he naturally becomes morose181 and savage; the necessary watchfulness182 against enemies is now never shared by others; disgusted, he passes into a state of chronic183 war with all who enjoy life, and the sooner after his expulsion that he fills the lion’s or the wild-dog’s maw, the better for himself and for the peace of the country.
We encamped on the 20th of June at a spot where Dr. Livingstone, on his journey from the West to the East Coast, was formerly menaced by a chief named Mpende. No offence had been committed against him, but he had firearms, and, with the express object of showing his power, he threatened to attack the strangers. Mpende’s counsellors having, however, found out that Dr. Livingstone belonged to a tribe of whom they had heard that “they loved the black man and did not make slaves,” his conduct at once changed from enmity to kindness, and, as the place was one well selected for defence, it was perhaps quite as well for Mpende that he decided184 as he did. Three of his counsellors now visited us, and we gave them a handsome present for their chief, who came himself next morning and made us a present of a goat, a basket of boiled maize, and another of vetches. A few miles above this the headman, Chilondo of Nyamasusa, apologized for not formerly lending us canoes. “He was absent, and his children were to blame for not telling him when the Doctor passed; he did not refuse the canoes.” The sight of our men, now armed with muskets186, had a great effect. Without any bullying187, firearms command respect, and lead men to be reasonable who might otherwise feel disposed to be troublesome. Nothing, however, our fracas188 with Mpende excepted, could be more peaceful than our passage through this tract36 of country in 1856. We then had nothing to excite the cupidity189 of the people, and the men maintained themselves, either by selling elephant’s meat, or by exhibiting feats190 of foreign dancing. Most of the people were very generous and friendly; but the Banyai, nearer to Tette than this, stopped our march with a threatening war-dance. One of our party, terrified at this, ran away, as we thought, insane, and could not, after a painful search of three days, be found. The Banyai, evidently touched by our distress191, allowed us to proceed. Through a man we left on an island a little below Mpende’s, we subsequently learned that poor Monaheng had fled thither192, and had been murdered by the headman for no reason except that he was defenceless. This headman had since become odious to his countrymen, and had been put to death by them.
On the 23rd of June we entered Pangola’s principal village, which is upwards193 of a mile from the river. The ruins of a mud wall showed that a rude attempt had been made to imitate the Portuguese style of building. We established ourselves under a stately wild fig-tree, round whose trunk witchcraft194 medicine had been tied, to protect from thieves the honey of the wild bees, which had their hive in one of the limbs. This is a common device. The charm, or the medicine, is purchased of the dice195 doctors, and consists of a strip of palm-leaf smeared196 with something, and adorned197 with a few bits of grass, wood, or roots. It is tied round the tree, and is believed to have the power of inflicting198 disease and death on the thief who climbs over it. Superstition199 is thus not without its uses in certain states of society; it prevents many crimes and misdemeanours, which would occur but for the salutary fear that it produces.
Pangola arrived, tipsy and talkative. —“We are friends, we are great friends; I have brought you a basket of green maize — here it is!” We thanked him, and handed him two fathoms200 of cotton cloth, four times the market-value of his present. No, he would not take so small a present; he wanted a double-barrelled rifle — one of Dixon’s best. “We are friends, you know; we are all friends together.” But although we were willing to admit that, we could not give him our best rifle, so he went off in high dudgeon. Early next morning, as we were commencing Divine service, Pangola returned, sober. We explained to him that we wished to worship God, and invited him to remain; he seemed frightened, and retired201: but after service he again importuned202 us for the rifle. It was of no use telling him that we had a long journey before us, and needed it to kill game for ourselves. —“He too must obtain meat for himself and people, for they sometimes suffered from hunger.” He then got sulky, and his people refused to sell food except at extravagant203 prices. Knowing that we had nothing to eat, they felt sure of starving us into compliance204. But two of our young men, having gone off at sunrise, shot a fine water-buck, and down came the provision market to the lower figure; they even became eager to sell, but our men were angry with them for trying compulsion, and would not buy. Black greed had outwitted itself, as happens often with white cupidity; and not only here did the traits of Africans remind us of Anglo–Saxons elsewhere: the notoriously ready world-wide disposition205 to take an unfair advantage of a man’s necessities shows that the same mean motives are pretty widely diffused206 among all races. It may not be granted that the same blood flows in all veins207, or that all have descended208 from the same stock; but the traveller has no doubt that, practically, the white rogue and black are men and brothers.
Pangola is the child or vassal209 of Mpende. Sandia and Mpende are the only independent chiefs from Kebrabasa to Zumbo, and belong to the tribe Manganja. The country north of the mountains here in sight from the Zambesi is called Senga, and its inhabitants Asenga, or Basenga, but all appear to be of the same family as the rest of the Manganja and Maravi. Formerly all the Manganja were united under the government of their great chief, Undi, whose empire extended from Lake Shirwa to the River Loangwa; but after Undi’s death it fell to pieces, and a large portion of it on the Zambesi was absorbed by their powerful southern neighbours the Banyai. This has been the inevitable210 fate of every African empire from time immemorial. A chief of more than ordinary ability arises and, subduing211 all his less powerful neighbours, founds a kingdom, which he governs more or less wisely till he dies. His successor not having the talents of the conqueror212 cannot retain the dominion213, and some of the abler under-chiefs set up for themselves, and, in a few years, the remembrance only of the empire remains214. This, which may be considered as the normal state of African society, gives rise to frequent and desolating215 wars, and the people long in vain for a power able to make all dwell in peace. In this light, a European colony would be considered by the natives as an inestimable boon216 to intertropical Africa. Thousands of industrious217 natives would gladly settle round it, and engage in that peaceful pursuit of agriculture and trade of which they are so fond, and, undistracted by wars or rumours218 of wars, might listen to the purifying and ennobling truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Manganja on the Zambesi, like their countrymen on the Shire, are fond of agriculture; and, in addition to the usual varieties of food, cultivate tobacco and cotton in quantities more than equal to their wants. To the question, “Would they work for Europeans?” an affirmative answer may be given, if the Europeans belong to the class which can pay a reasonable price for labour, and not to that of adventurers who want employment for themselves. All were particularly well clothed from Sandia’s to Pangola’s; and it was noticed that all the cloth was of native manufacture, the product of their own looms219. In Senga a great deal of iron is obtained from the ore and manufactured very cleverly.
As is customary when a party of armed strangers visits the village, Pangola took the precaution of sleeping in one of the outlying hamlets. No one ever knows, or at any rate will tell, where the chief sleeps. He came not next morning, so we went our way; but in a few moments we saw the rifle-loving chief approaching with some armed men. Before meeting us, he left the path and drew up his “following” under a tree, expecting us to halt, and give him a chance of bothering us again; but, having already had enough of that, we held right on: he seemed dumbfoundered, and could hardly believe his own eyes. For a few seconds he was speechless, but at last recovered so far as to be able to say, “You are passing Pangola. Do you not see Pangola?” Mbia was just going by at the time with the donkey, and, proud of every opportunity of airing his small stock of English, shouted in reply, “All right! then get on.” “Click, click, click.”
On the 26th June we breakfasted at Zumbo, on the left bank of the Loangwa, near the ruins of some ancient Portuguese houses. The Loangwa was too deep to be forded, and there were no canoes on our side. Seeing two small ones on the opposite shore, near a few recently erected220 huts of two half-castes from Tette, we halted for the ferry-men to come over. From their movements it was evident that they were in a state of rollicking drunkenness. Having a waterproof221 cloak, which could be inflated222 into a tiny boat, we sent Mantlanyane across in it. Three half-intoxicated slaves then brought us the shaky canoes, which we lashed223 together and manned with our own canoe-men. Five men were all that we could carry over at a time; and after four trips had been made the slaves began to clamour for drink; not receiving any, as we had none to give, they grew more insolent224, and declared that not another man should cross that day. Sininyane was remonstrating225 with them, when a loaded musket185 was presented at him by one of the trio. In an instant the gun was out of the rascal’s hands, a rattling226 shower of blows fell on his back, and he took an involuntary header into the river. He crawled up the bank a sad and sober man, and all three at once tumbled from the height of saucy227 swagger to a low depth of slavish abjectness228. The musket was found to have an enormous charge, and might have blown our man to pieces, but for the promptitude with which his companions administered justice in a lawless land. We were all ferried safely across by 8 o’clock in the evening.
In illustration of what takes place where no government, or law exists, the two half-castes, to whom these men belonged, left Tette, with four hundred slaves, armed with the old Sepoy Brown Bess, to hunt elephants and trade in ivory. On our way up, we heard from natives of their lawless deeds, and again, on our way down, from several, who had been eyewitnesses229 of the principal crime, and all reports substantially agreed. The story is a sad one. After the traders reached Zumbo, one of them, called by the natives Sequasha, entered into a plot with the disaffected230 headman, Namakusuru, to kill his chief, Mpangwe, in order that Namakusuru might seize upon the chieftainship; and for the murder of Mpangwe the trader agreed to receive ten large tusks231 of ivory. Sequasha, with a picked party of armed slaves, went to visit Mpangwe who received him kindly, and treated him with all the honour and hospitality usually shown to distinguished232 strangers, and the women busied themselves in cooking the best of their provisions for the repast to be set before him. Of this, and also of the beer, the half-caste partook heartily. Mpangwe was then asked by Sequasha to allow his men to fire their guns in amusement. Innocent of any suspicion of treachery, and anxious to hear the report of firearms, Mpangwe at once gave his consent; and the slaves rose and poured a murderous volley into the merry group of unsuspecting spectators, instantly killing the chief and twenty of his people. The survivors233 fled in horror. The children and young women were seized as slaves, and the village sacked. Sequasha sent the message to Namakusuru: “I have killed the lion that troubled you; come and let us talk over the matter.” He came and brought the ivory. “No,” said the half-caste, “let us divide the land:” and he took the larger share for himself, and compelled the would-be usurper234 to deliver up his bracelets235, in token of subjection on becoming the child or vassal of Sequasha. These were sent in triumph to the authorities at Tette. The governor of Quillimane had told us that he had received orders from Lisbon to take advantage of our passing to re-establish Zumbo; and accordingly these traders had built a small stockade236 on the rich plain of the right bank of Loangwa, a mile above the site of the ancient mission church of Zumbo, as part of the royal policy. The bloodshed was quite unnecessary, because, the land at Zumbo having of old been purchased, the natives would have always of their own accord acknowledged the right thus acquired; they pointed it out to Dr. Livingstone in 1856 that, though they were cultivating it, is was not theirs, but white man’s land. Sequasha and his mate had left their ivory in charge of some of their slaves, who, in the absence of their masters, were now having a gay time of it, and getting drunk every day with the produce of the sacked villages. The head slave came and begged for the musket of the delinquent237 ferryman, which was returned. He thought his master did perfectly238 right to kill Mpangwe, when asked to do it for the fee of ten tusks, and he even justified239 it thus: “If a man invites you to eat, will you not partake?”
We continued our journey on the 28th of June. Game was extremely abundant, and there were many lions. Mbia drove one off from his feast on a wild pig, and appropriated what remained of the pork to his own use. Lions are particularly fond of the flesh of wild pigs and zebras, and contrive240 to kill a large number of these animals. In the afternoon we arrived at the village of the female chief, Ma-mburuma, but she herself was now living on the opposite side of the river. Some of her people called, and said she had been frightened by seeing her son and other children killed by Sequasha, and had fled to the other bank; but when her heart was healed, she would return and live in her own village, and among her own people. She constantly inquired of the black traders, who came up the river, if they had any news of the white man who passed with the oxen. “He has gone down into the sea,” was their reply, “but we belong to the same people.” “Oh no; you need not tell me that; he takes no slaves, but wishes peace: you are not of his tribe.” This antislavery character excites such universal attention, that any missionary241 who winked242 at the gigantic evils involved in the slave-trade would certainly fail to produce any good impression on the native mind.
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1
hippopotamus
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| n.河马 | |
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buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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confluence
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| n.汇合，聚集 | |
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cataract
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| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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rivulets
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| n.小河，小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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navigated
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的过去式和过去分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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notch
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| n.(V字形)槽口，缺口，等级 | |
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notched
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| a.有凹口的，有缺口的 | |
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squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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friction
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| n.摩擦，摩擦力 | |
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charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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blister
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| n.水疱；(油漆等的)气泡；v.(使)起泡 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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58
hardiest
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| 能吃苦耐劳的，坚强的( hardy的最高级 )； （植物等）耐寒的 | |
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59
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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scoop
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| n.铲子，舀取，独家新闻；v.汲取，舀取，抢先登出 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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69
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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70
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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71
filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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72
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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73
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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74
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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75
antelopes
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| 羚羊( antelope的名词复数 )； 羚羊皮革 | |
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76
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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77
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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78
aroma
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| n.香气，芬芳，芳香 | |
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79
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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80
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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81
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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82
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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83
rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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84
cubs
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| n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 ) | |
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85
buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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86
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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87
gorillas
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| n.大猩猩( gorilla的名词复数 )；暴徒，打手 | |
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88
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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89
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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90
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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91
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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92
bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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93
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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94
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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95
vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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96
igneous
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| adj.火的，火绒的 | |
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97
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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98
strata
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| n.地层（复数）；社会阶层 | |
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99
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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100
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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101
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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102
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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103
stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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104
petrified
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|
| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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105
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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106
dyke
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| n.堤，水坝，排水沟 | |
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107
gateways
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| n.网关( gateway的名词复数 )；门径；方法；大门口 | |
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108
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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109
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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111
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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112
gorged
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| v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 )；作呕 | |
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113
pitfall
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| n.隐患，易犯的错误；陷阱，圈套 | |
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114
pitfalls
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| （捕猎野兽用的）陷阱( pitfall的名词复数 )； 意想不到的困难，易犯的错误 | |
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115
impaled
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| 钉在尖桩上( impale的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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117
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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118
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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119
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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120
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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121
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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122
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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123
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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124
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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125
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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126
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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127
fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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128
banyan
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| n.菩提树，榕树 | |
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129
teemed
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| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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130
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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131
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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132
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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133
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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134
unctuous
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| adj.油腔滑调的，大胆的 | |
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135
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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136
analogous
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| adj.相似的；类似的 | |
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137
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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138
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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139
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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140
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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141
stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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142
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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143
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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144
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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145
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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146
devours
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| 吞没( devour的第三人称单数 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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147
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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148
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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149
pugnacity
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| n.好斗，好战 | |
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150
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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151
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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152
abounds
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的第三人称单数 ) | |
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153
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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154
scavenger
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| n.以腐尸为食的动物，清扫工 | |
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155
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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156
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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157
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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158
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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159
furrow
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| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
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160
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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161
dreads
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| n.恐惧，畏惧( dread的名词复数 )；令人恐惧的事物v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的第三人称单数 ) | |
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162
maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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163
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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164
granitic
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| 花岗石的，由花岗岩形成的 | |
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165
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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166
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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167
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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168
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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169
furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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171
tumours
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| 肿瘤( tumour的名词复数 ) | |
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172
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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173
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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174
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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175
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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176
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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177
intestines
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| n.肠( intestine的名词复数 ) | |
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178
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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179
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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180
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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181
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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182
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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183
chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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184
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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185
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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186
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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187
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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188
fracas
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| n.打架；吵闹 | |
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189
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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190
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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191
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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192
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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193
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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194
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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195
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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196
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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199
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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200
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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201
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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202
importuned
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| v.纠缠，向（某人）不断要求( importune的过去式和过去分词 )；（妓女）拉（客） | |
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203
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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204
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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205
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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207
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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208
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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209
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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214
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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desolating
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| 毁坏( desolate的现在分词 )； 极大地破坏； 使沮丧； 使痛苦 | |
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216
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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217
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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218
rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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219
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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220
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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221
waterproof
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| n.防水材料；adj.防水的；v.使...能防水 | |
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222
inflated
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| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
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lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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224
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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225
remonstrating
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的现在分词 )；告诫 | |
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226
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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227
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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228
abjectness
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| 凄惨； 绝望； 卑鄙； 卑劣 | |
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eyewitnesses
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| 目击者( eyewitness的名词复数 ) | |
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disaffected
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| adj.（政治上）不满的，叛离的 | |
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231
tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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235
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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236
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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237
delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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238
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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239
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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240
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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241
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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242
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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