One Of
These Was Called Mokola, And Another Had A Strong Odour Of
Sulphuretted Hydrogen.
We reached Molamba on the 8th September, and
found our old acquaintance, Nkomo, there still.
One of the
advantages of travelling along the shores of the Lake was, that we
could bathe anywhere in its clear fresh water. To us, who had been
obliged so often to restrain our inclination in the Zambesi and Shire
for fear of crocodiles, this was pleasant beyond measure. The water
now was of the same temperature as it was on our former visit, or 72
degrees Fahr. The immense depth of the Lake prevents the rays of the
sun from raising the temperature as high as that of the Shire and
Zambesi; and the crocodiles, having always clear water in the Lake,
and abundance of fish, rarely attack man; many of these reptiles
could be seen basking on the rocks.
A day's march beyond Molamba brought us to the lakelet Chia, which
lies parallel with the Lake. It is three or four miles long, by from
one to one and a half broad, and communicates with the Lake by an arm
of good depth, but with some rocks in it. As we passed up between
the Lake and the eastern shore of this lakelet, we did not see any
streams flowing into it. It is quite remarkable for the abundance of
fish; and we saw upwards of fifty large canoes engaged in the
fishery, which is carried on by means of hand-nets with side-frame
poles about seven feet long.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 437 of 505
Words from 117883 to 118144
of 136856
