Leaving N’kossu’s, they rested one night at another village belonging to him, and then made for the territory of the Wa Ussi.  Here they met with a surly welcome, and were told they must pass on.  No doubt the intelligence that they were carrying their master’s body had a great deal to do with it, for the news seemed to spread with the greatest rapidity in all directions.  Three times they camped in the forest, and for a wonder began to find some dry ground.  The path lay in the direct line of Chawende’s town, parallel to the north shore of the Lake, and at no great distance from it.

Some time previously a solitary Unyamwesi had attached himself to the party at Chitankooi’s, where he had been left sick by a passing caravan of traders:  this man now assured them the country before them was well known to him.

Approaching Chawende’s, according to native etiquette, Amoda and Sabouri went on in front to inform the chief, and to ask leave to enter his town.  As they did not come back, Muanyasere and Chuma set off after them to ascertain the reason of the delay.  No better success seemed to attend this second venture, so shouldering their burdens, all went forward in the track of the four messengers.

In the mean time, Chuma and Muanyasere met Amoda and Sabouri coming back towards them with five men.  They reported that they had entered the town, but found it a very large stockaded place; moreover, two other villages of equal size were close to it.  Much pombe drinking was going on.  On approaching the chief, Amoda had rested his gun against the principal hut innocently enough.  Chawende’s son, drunk and quarrelsome, made this a cause of offence, and swaggering up, he insolently asked them how they dared to do such a thing.  Chawende interfered, and for the moment prevented further disagreeables; in fact, he himself seems to have been inclined to grant the favour which was asked:  however, there was danger brewing, and the men retired.

When the main body met them returning, tired with their fruitless errand, a consultation took place.  Wood there was none.  To scatter about and find materials with which to build shelter for the night, would only offer a great temptation to these drunken excited people to plunder the baggage.  It was resolved to make for the town.

When they reached the gate of the stockade they were flatly refused admittance, those inside telling them to go down to the river and camp on the bank.  They replied that this was impossible:  that they were tired, it was very late, and nothing could be found there to give them shelter.  Meeting with no different answer, Safene said, “Why stand talking to them? let us get in somehow or other;” and, suiting the action to the word, they pushed the men back who stood in the gateway.  Safene got through, and Muanyasere climbed over the top of the stockade, followed by Chuma, who instantly opened the gate wide and let his companions through.  Hostilities might still have been averted had better counsel prevailed.