114 ACROSS AFKICA. [Chap. 



August, preciation of the kind intentions of our hosts, our capacities 

 1873. were but limited, and I am afraid we were scarcely equal to 

 partaking of the proffered hospitality to the extent they would 

 have wished. 



The Arabs at Unyanyembe live in great comfort, having 

 large and well-built houses, w^ith gardens and fields, in which 

 they cultivate wheat, onions, cucumbers, and fruits introduced 

 from the coast. They maintain constant communication with 

 Zanzibar in peaceful times, and thus obtain supplies of coffee, 

 tea, sugar, soap, candles, curry -powder, and various luxuries. 

 But at this time they were much harassed by Mirambo, with 

 w^hom they had waged war for years without seeing any pros- 

 pect of a speedy and successful termination to the hostilities. 



The whole truth of the cause of this war I did not ascertain 

 while at Unyanyembe ; but I learned some particulars after- 

 ward. It appeared tliat Mirambo was originally the chief of a 

 small district of Unyamwezi, and for a number of years evinced 

 a strong friendship toward the Arabs, and even yet maintained 

 friendly relations with many of them. Several had houses sit- 

 uated close to his village, and he had frequently given fifty cat- 

 tle at a time as a present to any one whom he esteemed. 



But some unprincipled fellow took advantage of this good 

 nature to obtain a large quantity of ivory on credit, and, when 

 payment became due, laughed at Mirambo for having trusted 

 him. Mirambo then applied to the Arabs at Unyanyembe to 

 assist him in bringing the matter to a just settlement; but as 

 they turned a deaf ear to his complaints, he determined to ar- 

 range affairs according to his own wishes. 



Shortly afterward, a caravan, commanded by a partner of the 

 man who had cheated Mirambo, arrived on the borders of his 

 territory, and he refused to allow it to pass unless the outstand- 

 ing debt were paid. The Arab, yielding to adverse circum- 

 stances, consented to meet a portion, but not the whole, of the 

 debt ; but Mirambo, being in no humor for half-measures, took 

 the laAv into his own hands, and the caravan was worsted in the 

 struggle. 



Since that time an irregular, desultory warfare has been car- 

 ried on, greatly to the detriment of trade, and causing an im- 

 mense amount of misery ; for Mirambo is always on the move. 



