Dugumbe advised my explaining my plan of procedure to the slaves, and he evidently thinks that I wish to carry it towards them with a high hand.  I did explain all the exploration I intended to do:  for instance, the fountains of Herodotus—­beyond Katanga—­Katanga itself, and the underground dwellings, and then return.  They made no remarks, for they are evidently pleased to have me knuckling down to them; when pressed on the point of proceeding, they say they will only go with Dugumbe’s men to the Lomame, and then return.  River fallen three inches since the 5th.

10th July, 1871.—­Manyuema children do not creep, as European children do, on their knees, but begin by putting forward one foot and using one knee.  Generally a Manyuema child uses both feet and both hands, but never both knees:  one Arab child did the same; he never crept, but got up on both feet, holding on till he could walk.

New moon last night of seventh Arab month.

11th July, 1871.—­I bought the different species of fish brought to market, in order to sketch eight of them, and compare them with those of the Nile lower down:  most are the same as in Nyassa.  A very active species of Glanis, of dark olive-brown, was not sketched, but a spotted one, armed with offensive spikes in the dorsal and pectoral fins, was taken.  Sesamum seed is abundant just now and cakes are made of ground-nuts, as on the West Coast.  Dugumbe’s horde tried to deal in the market in a domineering way.  “I shall buy that,” said one.  “These are mine,” said another; “no one must touch them but me,” but the market-women taught them that they could not monopolize, but deal fairly.  They are certainly clever traders, and keep each other in countenance, they stand by each other, and will not allow overreaching, and they give food astonishingly cheap:  once in the market they have no fear.

12th and 13th July 1871.—­The Banian slaves declared before Dugumbe that they would go to the River Lomame, but no further:  he spoke long to them, but they will not consent to go further.  When told that they would thereby lose all their pay, they replied, “Yes, but not our lives,” and they walked off from him muttering, which is insulting to one of his rank.  I then added, “I have goods at Ujiji; I don’t know how many, but they are considerable, take them all, and give me men to finish my work; if not enough, I will add to them, only do not let me be forced to return now I am so near the end of my undertaking.”  He said he would make a plan in conjunction with his associates, and report to me.

14th July, 1871.—­I am distressed and perplexed what to do so as not to be foiled, but all seems against me.