The Luambwa to the Difuna River 



until we had actually crossed the hills that the 

 name Wulangulu was recognized. 



When we came to inquire as to time and 

 distance we realized to the full the feebleness of 

 these men's intellects. With every desire to please, 

 they were unable to make any distinction between a 

 year and a day. Trying to pin them down to any 

 period was hopeless; for instance, after much 

 talking and explanation, they agreed that it might 

 take a fortnight to get to Mkushi. The subject 

 was then dropped, and five minutes later we 

 suddenly asked them how long it had taken them 

 to return from Mkushi to their village, and they 

 answered without hesitation one day! There was 

 no desire to deceive ; it was mental incapacity pure 

 and simple. 



We invited them to come with us as guides, but 

 they declined, stating, what we believe to have 

 been the truth, that they were far too tired to start 

 off again so soon ; their fatigue was doubtless 

 mental as much as physical. 



That evening the thunder rumbled all round us, 

 and we were treated to several light storms. 



The following morning proving fine we were 

 off betimes. Our map had hitherto been fairly 

 reliable, and as native information was of the 

 vaguest we decided to steer by compass through 

 the forest, so as to cut off the large bend the 

 river makes south of Musiro's village. This 

 short cut succeeded better than short cuts generally 

 do; we were able to travel most of the way in our 

 machillas and struck the river after two hours' 



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