FISHERMEN. Ill 



once more, after a " narrow shave at sea." Though 

 the Search behaved well, every one agred that an open 

 boat like her was not safe on the lake. 



This sandy beach extended two miles to the north- 

 ward, and was covered with shells, specimens of which 

 I was busy collecting, when, suddenly raising my head, 

 1 saw a native some distance off walking our way. 

 On our approaching him, he ran away ; but a couple 

 of Makololo, after a short parley, brought him back. 

 He was a Manganja, and though a little frightened at 

 first, soon talked freely with us. He had never seen 

 a white man before, nor had he ever heard of one 

 being on the lake. From him we found out that the 

 Arab crossing-place was at the other side of a point 

 visible about ten miles ahead. Mr. Young gave him 

 some cloth for the information, and we were off again. 



The lake, that but an hour since had more the ap- 

 pearance of a field of snow than anything else, was 

 now quiet and of a deep indigo tint. The wind was 

 light, and it was a most enjoyable evening. A few 

 miles from where we had left the solitary lake man, 

 we saw several men on the beautiful sandy beach of 

 another charming little bay. We examined them 

 with the glasses, and observing that they were fisher- 

 men arranging their nets, we bore in to them. Our 

 approach created no alarm amongst the party, who 

 went on with their work as if they did not even see 

 us landing within a hundred yards of them. Mr. 

 Young, Chinsoro, and myself walked up to them and 

 opened a conversation. All but one man, who was 

 evidently their spokesman, continued their work as if 

 no one had arrived. This man told the following 



