CHAPTER XIV.

THROUGH THE MAKALAKA AND WEST MATABELE COUNTRIES.

Start southwards--Vlakvarks--An adventurer--The Tamasanka pools--The Libanani glade--Animal life on the plateau--The Maytengue--An uneasy conscience--Menon the Makalaka chief--A spy--Menon’s administration of justice--Pilfering propensities and dirtiness of the Makalakas--Morula trees--A Matabele warrior--An angry encounter--Ruins on the Rocky Shasha--Scenery on the Rhamakoban river--A deserted gold-ield--History of the Matabele kingdom--More ruins--Lions on the Tati--Westbeech and Lo Bengula--The leopard in Pit Jacobs’ house--Journey continued 372