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CHAPTER VI. 



ASHIRA-LAND. 



Grand Palaver to discuss the route into the interior — I am forbidden to pass 

 through the Apingi country — Messengers sent to the Chief of Otando — 

 Changes in Ashira Customs — Decrease of Population — The Potamogale 

 Velox — its habits — My former description of this Animal — Yisit to An- 

 gouka — Immense Plantation of Plantain-trees — Quarrel with Mpoto, 

 nephew of Olenda — Difficulties and anxieties — First rumours of the 

 Small-pox. 



Dec. 23Lr(i, 1864. To day there was an assembly of 

 the head-men of Ashira-land, presided over by King 

 Olenda, to discuss the important subject of my jour- 

 ney towards the east. My intention was to have 

 followed the same route from Olenda as I took on 

 my former expedition, namely, through the Apingi 

 country. But obstacles to this arrangement were 

 raised by Olenda and the Ashira people, who argued 

 that my best course would be to proceed to the 

 Otando country, lying a little to the south of Apingi. 

 I learnt, in the course of the palaver, the cause of 

 Olenda's opposition. It appeared that after I had 

 left the Apingi, the people could not comprehend 

 what had become of me, and Remandji their chief had 

 much trouble with them. They declared he had hid 

 me in the forest, with the intention of keeping me 

 for himself. So they came in a body to ask him 

 what had become of me. They also demanded that 



