19th March, 1873.—­Thanks to the Almighty Preserver of men for sparing me thus far on the journey of life.  Can I hope for ultimate success?  So many obstacles have arisen.  Let not Satan prevail over me, Oh! my good Lord Jesus.[30]

8 A.M.  Got about twenty people off to canoes.  Matipa not friendly.  They go over to Kabinga on S.W. side of the Chambeze, and thence we go overland. 9 A.M.  Men came back and reported Matipa false again; only one canoe had come.  I made a demonstration by taking quiet possession of his village and house; fired a pistol through the roof and called my men, ten being left to guard the camp; Matipa fled to another village.  The people sent off at once and brought three canoes, so at 11 A.M. my men embarked quietly.  They go across the Chambeze and build a camp on its left bank.  All Kabinga’s cattle are kept on an island called Kalilo, near the mouth of the Chambeze, and are perfectly wild:  they are driven into the water like buffaloes, and pursued when one is wanted for meat.  No milk is ever obtained of course.

20th March, 1873.—­Cold N.W. weather, but the rainfall is small, as the S.E. stratum comes down below the N.W. by day.  Matipa sent two large baskets of flour (cassava), a sheep, and a cock.  He hoped that we should remain with him till the water of the over-flood dried, and help him to fight his enemies, but I explained our delays, and our desire to complete our work and meet Baker.

21st March, 1873.—­Very heavy N.W. rain and thunder by night, and by morning.  I gave Matipa a coil of thick brass wire, and his wife a string of large neck beads, and explained my hurry to be off.  He is now all fair, and promises largely:  he has been much frightened by our warlike demonstration.  I am glad I had to do nothing but make a show of force.

22nd March, 1873.—­Susi not returned from Kabinga.  I hope that he is getting canoes, and men also, to transport us all at one voyage.  It is flood as far as the eye can reach; flood four and six feet deep, and more, with three species of rushes, two kinds of lotus, or sacred lily, papyrus, arum, &c.  One does not know where land ends, and Lake begins:  the presence of land-grass proves that this is not always overflowed.

23rd March, 1873.—­Men returned at noon.  Kabinga is mourning for his son killed by an elephant, and keeps in seclusion.  The camp is formed on the left bank of the Chambeze.

24th March.—­The people took the canoes away, but in fear sent for them.  I got four, and started with all our goods, first giving a present that no blame should follow me.  We punted six hours to a little islet without a tree, and no sooner did we land than a pitiless pelting rain came on.  We turned up a canoe to get shelter.  We shall reach the Chambeze to-morrow.  The wind tore the tent out of our hands, and damaged it too; the loads are all soaked, and with the cold it is bitterly uncomfortable.  A man put my bed into the bilge, and never said “Bale out,” so I was for a wet night, but it turned out better than I expected.  No grass, but we made a bed of the loads, and a blanket fortunately put into a bag.