8th January, 1873.—­Detained by heavy continuous rains in the village Moenje.  We are near Lake Bangweolo and in a damp region.  Got off in the afternoon in a drizzle; crossed a rill six feet wide, but now very deep, and with large running sponges on each side; it is called the Kamalopa, then one hour beyond came to a sponge, and a sluggish rivulet 100 yards broad with broad sponges on either bank waist deep, and many leeches.  Came on through flat forest as usual S.W. and S.

[We may here call attention to the alteration of the face of the country and the prominent notice of “sponges.”  His men speak of the march from this point as one continual plunge in and out of morass, and through rivers which were only distinguishable from the surrounding waters by their deep currents and the necessity for using canoes.  To a man reduced in strength and chronically affected with dysenteric symptoms ever likely to be aggravated by exposure, the effect may be well conceived!  It is probable that had Dr. Livingstone been at the head of a hundred picked Europeans, every man would have been down within the next fortnight.  As it is, we cannot help thinking of his company of followers, who must have been well led and under the most thorough control to endure these marches at all, for nothing cows the African so much as rain.  The next day’s journey may be taken as a specimen of the hardships every one had to endure:—­]

9th January, 1873.—­Mosumba of Chungu.  After an hour we crossed the rivulet and sponge of Nkulumuna, 100 feet of rivulet and 200 yards of flood, besides some 200 yards of sponge full and running off; we then, after another hour, crossed the large rivulet Lopopozi by a bridge which was 45 feet long, and showed the deep water; then 100 yards of flood thigh deep, and 200 or 300 yards of sponge.  After this we crossed two rills called Linkanda and their sponges, the rills in flood 10 or 12 feet broad and thigh deep.  After crossing the last we came near the Mosumba, and received a message to build our sheds in the forest, which we did.

Chungu knows what a nuisance a Safari (caravan) makes itself.  Cloudy day, and at noon heavy rain from N.W.  The headman on receiving two cloths said he would converse about our food and show it to-morrow.  No observations can be made, from clouds and rain.

10th January, 1873.—­Mosumba of Chungu.  Rest to-day and get an insight into the ford:  cold rainy weather.  When we prepared to visit Chungu, we received a message that he had gone to his plantations to get millet.  He then sent for us at 1 P.M. to come, but on reaching the stockade we heard a great Kelele, or uproar, and found it being shut from terror.  We spoke to the inmates but in vain, so we returned.  Chungu says that we should put his head on a pole like Casembe’s!  We shall go on without him to-morrow.  The terror guns have inspired is extreme.

11th January, 1873.—­Chungu sent a goat and big basket of flour, and excused his fears because guns had routed Casembe and his head was put on a pole; it was his young men that raised the noise.  We remain to buy food, as there is scarcity at Mombo, in front.  Cold and rainy weather, never saw the like; but this is among the sponges of the Nile and near the northern shores of Bangweolo.