If we say that the eighty so-called Arabs here have twenty dependants each, 1500 or 1600 is the outside population of Unyanyembe in connection with the Arabs.  It is called an ivory station, that means simply that elephant’s tusks are the chief articles of trade.  But little ivory comes to market, every Arab who is able sends bands of his people to different parts to trade:  the land being free they cultivate patches of maize, dura, rice, beans, &c., and after one or two seasons, return with what ivory they may have secured.  Ujiji is the only mart in the country, and it is chiefly for oil, grain, goats, salt, fish, beef, native produce of all sorts, and is held daily.  A few tusks are sometimes brought, but it can scarcely be called an ivory mart for that.  It is an institution begun and carried on by the natives in spite of great drawbacks from unjust Arabs.  It resembles the markets of Manyuema, but is attended every day by about 300 people.  No dura has been brought lately to Ujiji, because a Belooch man found the son of the chief of Mbwara Island peeping in at his women, and beat the young man, so that on returning home he died.  The Mbwara people always brought much grain before that, but since that affair never come.

The Arabs send a few freemen as heads of a party of slaves to trade.  These select a friendly chief, and spend at least half these goods brought in presents on him, and in buying the best food the country affords for themselves.  It happens frequently that the party comes back nearly empty handed, but it is the Banians that lose, and the Arabs are not much displeased.  This point is not again occupied if it has been a dead loss.

4th May, 1872.—­Many palavers about Mirambu’s death having taken place and being concealed.  Arabs say that he is a brave man, and the war is not near its end.  Some northern natives called Bagoye get a keg of powder and a piece of cloth, go and attack a village, then wait a month or so eating the food of the captured place, and come back for stores again:  thus the war goes on.  Prepared tracing paper to draw a map for Sir Thomas Maclear.  Lewale invites me to a feast.

7th May, 1872.—­New moon last night.  Went to breakfast with Lewale.  He says that the Mirambo war is virtually against himself as a Seyed Majid man.  They wish to have him removed, and this would be a benefit.

The Banyamwezi told the Arabs that they did not want them to go to fight, because when one Arab was killed all the rest ran away and the army got frightened.

“Give us your slaves only and we will fight,” say they.

A Magohe man gave charms, and they pressed Mirambo sorely.  His brother sent four tusks as a peace-offering, and it is thought that the end is near.  His mother was plundered, and lost all her cattle.

9th May, 1872.—­No fight, though it was threatened yesterday:  they all like to talk a great deal before striking a blow.  They believe that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.  Women singing as they pound their grain into meal,—­“Oh, the march of Bwanamokolu to Katanga!  Oh, the march to Katanga and back to Ujiji!—­Oh, oh, oh!” Bwanamokolu means the great or old gentleman.  Batusi women are very keen traders, and very polite and pleasing in their address and pretty way of speaking.