Were it not for the current Tanganyika would be covered with green scum now rolling away in miles of length and breadth to the north; it would also be salt like its shut-in bays.  The water has now fallen two feet perpendicularly.  It took us twelve hours to ascend to the Malagarasi River from Ujiji, and only seven to go down that distance.  Prodigious quantities of confervae pass us day and night in slow majestic flow.  It is called Shuare.  But for the current Tanganyika would be covered with “Tikatika” too, like Victoria Nyanza.

13th July, 1869.—­Off at 3.15 A.M., and in five hours reached Kabogo Eiver; from this point the crossing is always accomplished:  it is about thirty miles broad.  Tried to get off at 6 P.M., but after two miles the south wind blew, and as it is a dangerous wind and the usual one in storms, the men insisted on coming back, for the wind, having free scope along the entire southern length of Tanganyika, raises waves perilous to their heavy craft; after this the clouds cleared all away, and the wind died off too; the full moon shone brightly, and this is usually accompanied by calm weather here.  Storms occur at new moon most frequently.

14th July, 1869.—­Sounded in dark water opposite the high fountain Kabogo, 326 fathoms, but my line broke in coming up, and we did not see the armed end of the sounding lead with sand or mud on it:  this is 1965 feet.

People awaking in fright utter most unearthly yells, and they are joined in them by all who sleep near.  The first imagines himself seized by a wild beast, the rest roar because they hear him doing it:  this indicates the extreme of helpless terror.

15th July, 1869.—­After pulling all night we arrived at some islands and cooked breakfast, then we went on to Kasenge islet on their south, and came up to Mohamad Bogharib, who had come from Tongwe, and intended to go to Manyuema.  We cross over to the mainland, that is, to the western shore of the Lake, about 300 yards off, to begin our journey on the 21st.  Lunars on 20th.  Delay to prepare food for journey.  Lunars again 22nd.

A strong wind from the East to-day.  A current sweeps round this islet Kisenge from N.E. to S.E., and carries trees and duckweed at more than a mile an hour in spite of the breeze blowing across it to the West.  The wind blowing along the Lake either way raises up water, and in a calm it returns, off the shore.  Sometimes it causes the current to go southwards.  Tanganyika narrows at Uvira or Vira, and goes out of sight among the mountains there; then it appears as a waterfall into the Lake of Quando seen by Banyamwezi.

23rd July, 1869.—­I gave a cloth to be kept for Kasanga, the chief of Kasenge, who has gone to fight with the people of Goma.

1st August, 1869.—­Mohamad killed a kid as a sort of sacrifice, and they pray to Hadrajee before eating it.  The cookery is of their very best, and I always get a share; I tell them that I like the cookery, but not the prayers, and it is taken in good part.