60 miles we heard that the head-quarters of the Arabs were 22 miles further.  They had found ivory very cheap, and pushed on to the west, till attacked by a chief named, Nsama, whom they beat in his own stockade.  They were now at a loss which way to turn.  On reaching Chitimba’s village (lat. 8 deg. 57’ 55” S.; long. 30 deg. 20’ E.), I found them about 600 in all; and, on presenting a letter I had from the Sultan of Zanzibar, was immediately supplied with provisions, beads, and cloth.  They approved of my plan of passing to the south of Nsama’s country, but advised waiting till the effects of punishment, which the Baeulungu had resolved to inflict on Nsama for breach of public law, were known.  It had always been understood that whoever brought goods into the country was to be protected; and two hours after my arrival at Chitimba’s, the son of Kasonso, our guide, marched in with his contingent.  It was anticipated that Nsama might flee; if to the north, he would leave me a free passage through his country; if to the south, I might be saved from walking into his hands.  But it turned out that Nsama was anxious for peace.  He had sent two men with elephants’ tusks to begin a negotiation; but treachery was suspected, and they were shot down.  Another effort was made with ten goats, and repulsed.  This was much to the regret of the head Arabs.  It was fortunate for me that the Arab goods were not all sold, for Lake Moero lay in Nsama’s country, and without peace no ivory could be bought, nor could I reach the Lake.  The peace-making between the people and Arabs was, however, a tedious process, occupying three and a half months—­drinking each other’s blood.  This, as I saw it west of this in 1854, is not more horrible than the thirtieth dilution of deadly night-shade or strychnine is in homoeopathy.  I thought that had I been an Arab I could easily swallow that, but not the next means of cementing the peace—­marrying a black wife.  Nsama’s daughter was the bride, and she turned out very pretty.  She came riding pickaback on a man’s shoulders:  this is the most dignified conveyance that chiefs and their families can command.  She had ten maids with her, each carrying a basket of provisions, and all having the same beautiful features as herself.  She was taken by the principal Arab, but soon showed that she preferred her father to her husband, for seeing preparations made to send off to purchase ivory, she suspected that her father was to be attacked, and made her escape.  I then, visited Nsama, and, as he objected to many people coming near him, took only three of my eight attendants.  His people were very much afraid of fire-arms, and felt all my clothing to see if I had any concealed on my person.  Nsama is an old man, with head and face like those sculptured on the Assyrian monuments.  He has been a great conqueror in his time, and with bows and arrows was invincible.  He is said to have destroyed many native traders from Tanganyika, but twenty Arab guns made him flee from