EXTRACTS FROM DR. KIRK's LETTERS. 9 



place extended nortli and south." (Moosa's compass !) 



" 6. That night they slept at a small village on the 

 western shore, and leaving the water behind, march- 

 ed west to Mapoonda. One of the Zambesi boys, 

 Waikatani, deserted here, and the Havildar, worn 

 out by disease, which attacked him on crossing the 

 Nyassa, lagged behind and was left. They left Ma- 

 poonda, and arrived at Marenga after two days' march 

 over level land, journeying west. No hills were 

 crossed, although mountains were seen at the south ; 

 but there was a small hill at Mapoonda. 



" 7. After remaining a day at Marenga, they again 

 followed a westerly course over smooth ground. 

 Marenga, who was civil to the party, ferried them in 

 canoes over a muddy channel or swamp, rather than 

 river. 



" 8. Soon after this they passed Maksura, still keep- 

 ing west, and slept one night in the jungle. They 

 had been told that the Mavite were fighting in this 

 part. 



"9. The fatal attack occurred at 9 a.m. in the morn- 

 ing's march. 



"10. About 9 A.M. in the morning's march 

 they found themselves travelling a plain country, 

 covered with grass as high as a man's waist, and 

 abounding in low bushes, with forest trees and dense 

 underwood at intervals, such, indeed, as is seen a lit- 

 tle further south, where the country is known. Liv- 

 ingstone led the way, having next to him, as usual, 

 the Zambesi boys and Bombay-educated Africans ; 

 while Moosa, at the head of the Johanna men, drew 

 up the rear. As Moosa is our only authority for 



