That terrestrial paradise for the hunter, the valley of the pellucid Mtambu, was deserted by us the next morning for the settlement commonly known to the Wakawendi as Imrera’s, with as much unconcern as though it were a howling desert.  The village near which we encamped was called Itaga, in the district of Rusawa.  As soon as we had crossed the River Mtambu we had entered Ukawendi, commonly called “Kawendi” by the natives of the country.

The district of Rusawa is thickly populated.  The people are quiet and well-disposed to strangers, though few ever come to this region from afar.  One or two Wasawahili traders visit it every year or so from Pumburu and Usowa; but very little ivory being obtained from the people, the long distance between the settlements serves to deter the regular trader from venturing hither.

If caravans arrive here, the objective point to them is the district of Pumburu, situated south-westerly one day’s good marching, or, say, thirty statute miles from Imrera; or they make for Usowa, on the Tanganika, via Pumburu, Katuma, Uyombeh, and Ugarawah.  Usowa is quite an important district on the Tanganika, populous and flourishing.  This was the road we had intended to adopt after leaving Imrera, but the reports received at the latter place forbade such a venture.  For Mapunda, the Sultan of Usowa, though a great friend to Arab traders, was at war with the colony of the Wazavira, who we must remember were driven from Mpokwa and vicinity in Utanda, and who were said to have settled between Pumburu and Usowa.

It remained for us, like wise, prudent men, having charge of a large and valuable Expedition on our hands, to decide what to do, and what route to adopt, now that we had approached much nearer to Ujiji than we were to Unyanyembe.  I suggested that we should make direct for the Tanganika by compass, trusting to no road or guide, but to march direct west until we came to the Tanganika, and then follow the lake shore on foot until we came to Ujiji.  For it ever haunted my mind, that, if Dr. Livingstone should hear of my coming, which he might possibly do if I travelled along any known road, he would leave, and that my search for him would consequently be a “stern chase.”  But my principal men thought it better that we should now boldly turn our faces north, and march for the Malagarazi, which was said to be a large river flowing from the east to the Tanganika.  But none of my men knew the road to the Malagarazi, neither could guides be hired from Sultan Imrera.  We were, however, informed that the Malagarazi was but two days’ march from Imrera.  I thought it safe, in such a case, to provision my men with three days’ rations.  The village of Itaga is situated in a deep mountain hollow, finely overlooking a large extent of cultivation.  The people grow sweet potatoes, manioc—­out of which tapioca is made—­beans, and the holcus.  Not one chicken could be purchased for love or money, and, besides grain, only a lean, scraggy specimen of a goat, a long time ago imported form Uvinza, was procurable.