CHAPTER V

1879-1880

Intends to visit the Mashukulumbwe country--Expedition into the northern Kalahari--The Botletlie river--Adventure with lions--The difficulties of the Thirstland--The Mababe flats--Oxen nearly exhausted--Finds water--Kills two lionesses and two fine lions--Hunting on the Linyanti and Chobe--The death of French--Sick with fever--Causes of the Zulu War--The magnanimity of the Zulus--Selous' visit to Cetewayo--The story of John Dunn--McLeod of McLeod--The Swazi king's reasoning--Selous' views on the Zulu War--Sir Godfrey Lagden--Selous again goes to Matabeleland--J. S. Jameson, some details of his life--Expedition to Mashunaland--Return to England--Causes of the first Boer War--Selous' first book--Slaughter of game in South Africa--The ethics of Big Game hunting 120