Zassi is easily known by a group of conical hills which rise near by, and are called Kirassa.  Opposite to these, at the distance of about a mile from shore, we sounded, and obtained 35 fathoms, as on the previous day.  Getting out a mile further, I let go the whole length of my line, 115 fathoms, and obtained no bottom.  In drawing it up again the line parted, and I lost the lead, with three-fourths of the line.  The Doctor stated, apropos of this, that he had sounded opposite the lofty Kabogo, south of Ujiji, and obtained the great depth of 300 fathoms.  He also lost his lead and 100 fathoms of his line, but he had nearly 900 fathoms left, and this was in the canoes.  We hope to use this long sounding line in going across from the eastern to the western shore.

On the fourth day we arrived at Nyabigma, a sandy island in Urundi.  We had passed the boundary line between Ujiji and Urundi half-an-hour before arriving at Nyabigma.  The Mshala River is considered by both nations to be the proper divisional line; though there are parties of Warundi who have emigrated beyond the frontier into Ujiji; for instance, the Mutware and villagers of populous Kagunga, distant an hour north from Zassi.  There are also several small parties of Wajiji, who have taken advantage of the fine lands in the deltas of the Kasokwe, Namusinga, and Luaba Rivers, the two first of which enter the Tanganika in this bay, near the head of which Nyabigma is situated.

From Nyabigma, a pretty good view of the deep curve in the great mountain range which stretches from Cape Kazinga and terminates at Cape Kasofu, may be obtained—­a distance of twenty or twenty-five miles.  It is a most imposing scene, this great humpy, ridgy, and irregular line of mountains.  Deep ravines and chasms afford outlets to the numerous streams and rivers which take their rise in the background; the pale fleecy ether almost always shrouds its summit.  From its base extends a broad alluvial plain, rich beyond description, teeming with palms and plantains, and umbrageous trees.  Villages are seen in clusters everywhere.  Into this alluvial plain run the Luaba, or Ruaba River, on the north side of Cape Kitunda, and the Kasokwe, Namusinga, and Mshala Rivers, on the south side of the cape.  All the deltas of rivers emptying into the Tanganika are hedged in on all sides with a thick growth of matete, a gigantic species of grass, and papyrus.  In some deltas, as that of Luaba and Kasokwe, morasses have been formed, in which the matete and papyrus jungle is impenetrable.  In the depths of them are quiet and deep pools, frequented by various aquatic birds, such as geese, ducks, snipes, widgeons, kingfishers and ibis, cranes and storks, and pelicans.  To reach their haunts is, however, a work of great difficulty to the sportsman in quest of game; a work often attended with great danger, from the treacherous nature of these morasses, as well as from the dreadful attacks of fever which, in these regions, invariably follow wet feet and wet clothes.