16th January, 1872.—­A very cold night after long-continued and heavy rain.  Our camp was among brakens.  Went E. and by S. along the high land, then we saw a village down in a deep valley into which we descended.  Then up another ridge in a valley and along to a village well cultivated—­up again 700 feet at least, and down to Merera’s village, hid in a mountainous nook, about 140 huts with doors on one side.  The valleys present a lovely scene of industry, all the people being eagerly engaged in weeding and hoeing to take advantage of the abundant rains which have drenched us every afternoon.

17th January, 1872.—­We remain at Merera’s to buy food for our men and ourselves.

18th January, 1872.—­March, but the Mirongosi wandered and led us round about instead of S.S.E.  We came near some tree-covered hills, and a river Monya Mazi—­Mtamba River in front.  I have very sore feet from bad shoes.

19th January, 1872.—­Went about S.E. for four hours, and crossed the Mbamba River and passed through open forest.  There is a large rock in the river, and hills thickly tree-covered, 2’ East and West, down a steep descent and camp.  Came down River Mpokwa over rough country with sore feet, to ruins of a village Basivira and sleep. 21st.—­Rest. 22nd.—­Rest.  Mr. Stanley shot two zebras yesterday, and a she giraffe to-day, the meat of the giraffe was 1000 lbs. weight, the two zebras about 800 lbs.

23rd January, 1872.—­Rest.  Mr. Stanley has fever. 24th.—­Ditto. 25th.—­Stanley ill. 26th.—­Stanley better and off.

26th January, 1872.—­Through low hills N.E. and among bamboos to open forest—­on in undulating bushy tract to a river with two rounded hills east, one having three mushroom-shaped trees on it.

27th January, 1872.—­On across long land waves and the only bamboos east of Mpokwa Rill to breakfast.  In going on a swarm of bees attacked a donkey Mr. Stanley bought for me, and instead of galloping off, as did the other, the fool of a beast rolled down, and over and over.  I did the same, then ran, dashed into a bush like an ostrich pursued, then ran whisking a bush round my head.  They gave me a sore head and face, before I got rid of the angry insects:  I never saw men attacked before:  the donkey was completely knocked up by the stings on head, face, and lips, and died in two days, in consequence.  We slept in the stockade of Misonghi.

28th January, 1872.—­We crossed the river and then away E. to near a hill.  Crossed two rivers, broad and marshy, and deep with elephants plunging.  Rain almost daily, but less in amount now.  Bombay says his greatest desire is to visit Speke’s grave ere he dies:  he has a square head with the top depressed in the centre.

29th January, 1872.—­We ascended a ridge, the edge of a flat basin with ledges of dark brown sandstone, the brim of ponds in which were deposited great masses of brown haematite, disintegrated into gravel, flat open forest with short grass.  We crossed a rill of light-coloured water three times and reached a village.  After this in 1-1/2 hour we came to Merera’s.