25th February, 1873.—­For a wonder it did not rain till 4 P.M.  The people bring food, but hold out for cloth, which is inconvenient.

Susi and Chumah not appearing may mean that the men are preparing canoes and food to transport us.

25th February, 1873.—­Susi returned this morning with good news from Matipa, who declares his willingness to carry us to Kabende for the five bundles of brass wire I offered.  It is not on Chirube, but amid the swamps of the mainland on the Lake’s north side.  Immense swampy plains all around except at Kabende.  Matipa is at variance with his brothers on the subject of the lordship of the lands and the produce of the elephants, which are very numerous.  I am devoutly thankful to the Giver of all for favouring me so far, and hope that He may continue His kind aid.

No mosquitoes here, though Speke, at the Victoria Nyanza, said they covered the bushes and grass in myriads, and struck against the hands and face most disagreeably.

27th February, 1873.—­Waiting for other canoes to be sent by Matipa.  His men say that there is but one large river on the south of Lake Bangweolo, and called Luomba.  They know the mountains on the south-east as I do, and on the west, but say they don’t know any on the middle of the watershed.  They plead their youth as an excuse for knowing so little.

Matipa’s men proposed to take half our men, but I refused to divide our force; they say that Matipa is truthful.

28th February, 1873.—­No night rain after 8 P.M., for a wonder.  Baker had 1500 men in health on 15th June, 1870, at lat. 9 deg. 26’ N., and 160 on sick list; many dead.  Liberated 305 slaves.  His fleet was thirty-two vessels; wife and he well.  I wish that I met him.  Matipa’s men not having come, it is said they are employed bringing the carcase of an elephant to him.  I propose to go near to him to-morrow, some in canoes and some on foot.  The good Lord help me.  New moon this evening.

1st March, 1873.—­Embarked women and goods in canoes, and went three hours S.E. to Bangweolo.  Stopped on an island where people were drying fish over fires.  Heavy rain wetted us all as we came near the islet, the drops were as large as half-crowns by the marks they made.  We went over flooded prairie four feet deep, and covered with rushes, and two varieties of lotus or sacred lily; both are eaten, and so are papyrus.  The buffaloes are at a loss in the water.  Three canoes are behind.  The men are great cowards.  I took possession of all the paddles and punting poles, as the men showed an inclination to move off from our islet.  The water in the country is prodigiously large:  plains extending further than the eye can reach have four or five feet of clear water, and the Lake and adjacent lands for twenty or thirty miles are level.  We are on a miserable dirty fishy island called Motovinza; all are damp.  We are surrounded by scores of miles of rushes, an open sward, and many lotus plants, but no mosquitoes.