1st May, 1867.—­We intended to go north-west to see whether this Lake narrows or not, for all assert that it maintains its breadth such as we see it beyond Pemba as far as they know it; but when about to start the headman and his wife came and protested so solemnly that by going N.W. we should walk into the hands of a party of Mazitu there, that we deferred our departure.  It was not with a full persuasion of the truth of the statement that I consented, but we afterwards saw good evidence that it was true, and that we were saved from being plundered.  These marauders have changed their tactics, for they demand so many people, and so many cloths, and then leave.  They made it known that their next scene of mulcting would be Mombo’s village, and there they took twelve people—­four slaves, and many cloths, then went south to the hills they inhabit.  A strict watch was kept on their movements by our headman and his men.  They trust to fleeing into a thicket on the west of the village should the Mazitu come.

I have been informed on good authority that Kasonso was on his way to us when news arrived that his young son had died.  He had sent on beer and provisions for us, but the Mazitu intervening they were consumed.

The Mazitu having left we departed and slept half-way up the ridge.  I had another fit of insensibility last night:  the muscles of the back lose all power,[52] and there is constant singing in the ears, and inability to do the simplest sum.  Cross the Aeeze (which makes the waterfall) fifteen yards wide and knee deep.  The streams like this are almost innumerable.

Mombo’s village.  It is distressingly difficult to elicit accurate information about the Lake and rivers, because the people do not think accurately.  Mombo declared that two Arabs came when we were below, and inquired for us, but he denied our presence, thinking thereby to save us trouble and harm.

The cotton cultivated is of the Pernambuco species, and the bushes are seven or eight feet high.  Much cloth was made in these parts before the Mazitu raids began, it was striped black and white, and many shawls are seen in the country yet.  It is curious that this species of cotton should be found only in the middle of this country.

In going westwards on the upland the country is level and covered with scraggy forest as usual, long lines of low hills or rather ridges of denudation run.  N. and S. on our east.  This is called Moami country, full of elephants, but few are killed.  They do much damage, eating the sorghum in the gardens unmolested.

11th May, 1867.—­A short march to-day brought us to a village on the same Moami, and to avoid a Sunday in the forest we remained.  The elephants had come into the village and gone all about it, and to prevent their opening the corn safes the people had bedaubed them with elephant’s droppings.  When a cow would not give milk, save to its calf, a like device was used at Kolobeng; the cow’s droppings were smeared on the teats, and the calf was too much disgusted to suck:  the cow then ran till she was distressed by the milk fever and was willing to be relieved by the herdsman.