16th May, 1872.—­A man came from Ujiji to say one of the party at Kasongo’s reports that a marauding party went thence to the island of Bazula north of them.  They ferried them to an island, and in coming back they were assaulted by the islanders in turn.  They speared two in canoes shoving off, and the rest, panic-struck, took to the water, and thirty-five were slain.  It was a just punishment, and shows what the Manyuema can do, if aroused to right their wrongs.  No news of Baker’s party; but Abed and Hassani are said to be well, and far down the Lualaba.  Nassur Masudi is at Kasongo’s, probably afraid by the Zula slaughter to go further.  They will shut their own market against themselves.  Lewale sends off letters to the Sultan to-day.  I have no news to send, but am waiting wearily.

17th May, 1872.—­Ailing.  Making cheeses for the journey:  good, but sour rather, as the milk soon turns in this climate, and we don’t use rennet, but allow the milk to coagulate of itself, and it does thicken in half a day.

18th-19th May, 1872.—­One of Dugumbe’s men came to-day from Ujiji.  He confirms the slaughter of Matereka’s people, but denies that of Dugumbe’s men.  They went to Lomame about eleven days west, and found it to be about the size of Luamo; it comes from a Lake, and goes to Lualaba, near the Kisingite, a cataract.  Dugumbe then sent his people down Lualaba, where much ivory is to be obtained.  They secured a great deal of copper—­1000 thick bracelets—­on the south-west of Nyangwe, and some ivory, but not so much as they desired.  No news of Abed.  Lomame water is black, and black scum comes up in it.

20th May, 1872.—­Better.  Very cold winds.  The cattle of the Batusi were captured by the Arabs to prevent them going off with the Baganda:  my four amongst them.  I sent over for them and they were returned this morning.  Thirty-five of Mohamad’s slaves died of small-pox.

21st May, 1872.—­The genuine Africans of this region have flattened nose-bridges; the higher grades of the tribes have prominent nose-bridges, and are on this account greatly admired by the Arabs.  The Batusi here, the Balunda of Casembe, and Itawa of Nsama, and many Manyuema have straight noses, but every now and then you come to districts in which the bridgeless noses give the air of the low English bruiser class, or faces inclining to King Charles the Second’s spaniels.  The Arab progeny here have scanty beards, and many grow to a very great height—­tall, gaunt savages; while the Muscatees have prominent nose-bridges, good beards, and are polite and hospitable.

I wish I had some of the assurance possessed by others, but I am oppressed with the apprehension that after all it may turn out that I have been following the Congo; and who would risk being put into a cannibal pot, and converted into black man for it?

22nd May, 1872.—­Baganga are very black, with a tinge of copper colour in some.  Bridgeless noses all.