Garube

After ascending a mountain next day we entered what normally was evidently a dry grassy plain, though now most of the grass had been burnt off by veld fires. Crossing this barren and infertile looking country, we arrived at Selaibai. The usual hospitality was extended to us by the Natives, the chief bringing in a sheep and some food for the men. We gave him presents in return, and laid in a good supply of food, as we were told we should probably not be able to obtain any more for three or four days. The water was very bad, but the country seemed more healthy than it was farther back.

Soon after leaving Selaibai we were charmed with the view of a fine lake, the country through which we travelled continuing very dry, all the vegetation being parched grass and thorn bushes. But the going was good, for we found it possible to do thirty miles in a day's march. We camped near the village of a Native chief, who was a very old man and seemed anxious to please us. The water was very salt and not fit to drink, and the cattle had a disease of some kind and were dying every day.

At Garube we were still in a country of dry grass plain, all the vegetation having a very parched appearance. While leading my caravan I started three lions from under a bush not ten yards away, where they were feasting on the carcass of a zebra they had evidently killed. They all cleared off except a lioness, which commenced to growl at me. My first shot went over her shoulder, and as she bounded away I gave chase, but did not find her. Knowing from experience that lions usually return to finish their meal, I stopped the safari and went into camp. I then went out to have another search for the lions, and although nothing was to be seen of them I managed to shoot some impala, which my men brought into camp.