The atmosphere is oppressive both in cloud and sunshine.

The evaporation from the river must be excessively great, and I feel as if the fluids of the system joined in the general motion of watery vapor upward, as enormous quantities of water must be drunk to supply its place.
When under way our usual procedure is this: We get up a little before five in the morning; it is then beginning to dawn.

While I am dressing, coffee is made; and, having filled my pannikin, the remainder is handed to my companions, who eagerly partake of the refreshing beverage.
The servants are busy loading the canoes, while the principal men are sipping the coffee, and, that being soon over, we embark.

The next two hours are the most pleasant part of the day's sail.

The men paddle away most vigorously; the Barotse, being a tribe of boatmen, have large, deeply-developed chests and shoulders, with indifferent lower extremities.