When at the lower end of Moero we were so near Casembe that it was thought well to ascertain the length of the Lake, and see Casembe too.  We came up between the double range that flanks the east of the Lake; but mountains and plains are so covered with well-grown forest that we could seldom see it.  We reached Casembe’s town on the 28th November.  It stands near the north end of the Lakelet Mofwe; this is from one to three miles broad, and some six or seven long:  it is full of sedgy islands, and abounds in fish.  The country is quite level, but fifteen or twenty miles west of Mofwe we see a long range of the mountains of Rua.  Between this range and Mofwe the Luapula flows past into Moero, the Lake called Moero okata = the great Moero, being about fifty miles long.  The town of Casembe covers a mile square of cassava plantations, the huts being dotted over that space.  Some have square enclosures of reeds, but no attempt has been made at arrangement:  it might be called a rural village rather than a town.  No estimate could be formed by counting the huts, they were so irregularly planted, and hidden by cassava; but my impression from other collections of huts was that the population was under a thousand souls.  The court or compound of Casembe—­some would call it a palace—­is a square enclosure of 300 yards by 200 yards.  It is surrounded by a hedge of high reeds.  Inside, where Casembe honoured me with a grand reception, stands a gigantic hut for Casembe, and a score of small huts for domestics.  The Queen’s hut stands behind that of the chief, with a number of small huts also.  Most of the enclosed space is covered with a plantation of cassava, Curcus purgaris, and cotton.  Casembe sat before his hut on a equate seat placed on lion and leopard skins.  He was clothed in a coarse blue and white Manchester print edged with red baize, and arranged in large folds so as to look like a crinoline put on wrong side foremost.  His arms, legs and head were covered with sleeves, leggings and cap made of various coloured beads in neat patterns:  a crown of yellow feathers surmounted his cap.  Each of his headmen came forward, shaded by a huge, ill-made umbrella, and followed by his dependants, made obeisance to Casembe, and sat down on his right and left:  various bands of musicians did the same.  When called upon I rose and bowed, and an old counsellor, with his ears cropped, gave the chief as full an account as he had been able to gather during our stay of the English in general, and my antecedents in particular.  My having passed through Lunda to the west of Casembe, and visited chiefs of whom he scarcely knew anything, excited most attention.  He then assured me that I was welcome to his country, to go where I liked, and do what I chose.  We then went (two boys carrying his train behind him)