On a large plain on which we spent one night, we had the company of eighty tobacco traders on their way from Kasungu to Chinsamba’s.  The Mazitu had attacked and killed two of them, near the spot where the Zulus fled from us without answering our questions.  The traders were now so frightened that, instead of making a straight course with us, they set off by night to follow the shores of the Lake to Tsenga, and then turn west.  It is the sight of shields, or guns that inspires terror.  The bowmen feel perfectly helpless when the enemy comes with even the small protection the skin shield affords, or attacks them in the open field with guns.  They may shoot a few arrows, but they are such poor shots that ten to one if they hit.  The only thing that makes the arrow formidable is the poison; for if the poisoned barb goes in nothing can save the wounded.  A bow is in use in the lower end of Lake Nyassa, but is more common in the Maravi country, from six to eight inches broad, which is intended to be used as a shield as well as a bow; but we never saw one with the mark on it of an enemy’s arrow.  It certainly is no match for the Zulu shield, which is between four and five feet long, of an oval shape, and about two feet broad.  So great is the terror this shield inspires that we sometimes doubted whether the Mazitu here were Zulus at all, and suspected that the people of the country took advantage of that fear, and, assuming shields, pretended to belong to that nation.

On the 11th October we arrived at the stockade of Chinsamba in Mosapo, and had reason to be very well satisfied with his kindness.  A paraffin candle was in his eyes the height of luxury, and the ability to make a light instantaneously by a lucifer match, a marvel that struck him with wonder.  He brought all his relatives in different groups to see the strange sights,—­instantaneous fire-making, and a light, without the annoyance of having fire and smoke in the middle of the floor.  When they wish to look for anything in the dark, a wisp of dried grass is lighted.

Chinsamba gave us a great deal of his company during our visits.  As we have often remarked in other cases, a chief has a great deal to attend to in guiding the affairs of his people.  He is consulted on all occasions, and gives his advice in a stream of words, which show a very intimate acquaintance with the topography of his district; he knows every rood cultivated, every weir put in the river, every hunting-net, loom, gorge, and every child of his tribe.  Any addition made to the number of these latter is notified to him; and he sends thanks and compliments to the parents.