FAILURE OF THE ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THEM. 127 



They then stated that, when they had gone two days' 

 journey towards Mataka, they were stopped by a body 

 of Ajawah when close to their village. These men, 

 after " trying to take their guns from them," brought 

 them before their chief. On being interrogated by 

 him, they said that they belonged to an English party, 

 and stated the business they were on ; but the chief 

 would not believe them, sa}dng, " No ! where is 

 Chitanee? If you were from the English, you 

 would have Chitanee with you." The chief ordered 

 them to return, saying he would not let them pass 

 through the country, as he knew they came to fight. 

 They were then shown out of the village, and per- 

 mitted to return without molestation. The party had 

 been given a good supply of ammunition, cloth, &c., 

 besides presents for Mataka ; but though they had not 

 accomplished the journey they returned penniless. 

 All was gone. 



They were soon surrounded by their friends in 

 our party, and as warm a greeting took place as if 

 they had been absent for years. I could plainly see,. 

 as I watched them that night over their fires, that 

 there was humbug in the wind, and I made up my 

 mind that the whole thing was a farce. I now sug- 

 gested that I should be permitted to start with the 

 same men the following morning, and endeavour to 

 obtain Livingstone's despatches ; but it was not 

 thought practicable by the leader, and next day we 

 got under weigh early, steering south-west for Chin- 

 samba, where we hoped to hear something from tlie 

 Arabs who were said to be there waiting for favour- 

 able winds to cross the lake. Just before starting a 



