Note 85 — Chapter IV

On the 1st February M. Mann, when collecting plants sheltered in a hollow from the strong wind, had a similar rencontre. ‘I suddenly,’ he says, ‘observed a native close by, who, without seeing me, had unwittingly dropped upon me. When I addressed him he stretched out his hand, and after a few minutes pronounced the word “tobacco.” I called to him to come nearer, which he was unwilling to do, and when I went towards him I saw that he trembled with fright. He was a head taller than I, and nearly twice as stout, without any clothes except a small piece of thin cloth about his loins: he had arms and a cutlass. I made him understand that he should bring me a hyæna and a gazelle, which he promised, and slowly went away, looking back as though afraid that I should lay hands upon him.’