X.] VILLAGE CLUBS. 133 



To wait for the fugitives would have occasioned much delay, December, 

 and most probably the loss of many more. So, putting the i^'^^- 

 best face I could on the matter, I hired sufficient men to carry 

 the deserters' loads to the first village in Ugunda, where it was 

 stated pagazi were usually to be obtained. I also dispatched a 

 messenger to the Arabs at Kwiharah and Taborah reporting 

 the numbers that had deserted, most of whom were known as 

 being men belonging to the coast. 



Marching through wooded country with beautiful open 

 glades, the trees bursting into fresh leaf, and the young grass 

 clothing with a tender green the patches which had been 

 burned in the dry season, and every thing looking fresh and 

 spring-like, I felt better than at any time since leaving Kwiha- 

 rah ; and, to my astonishment, I found myself able to follow 

 the shady path without suffering fatigue. 



We rested at some pools of clear, fresh water ; and a bag- 

 gage-donkey, appreciating the comfort of a bath, went into one, 

 and, lying down, commenced to roll. Pleasant as this might 

 have been for the beast, it tended much to the detriment of a load 

 composed of miscellaneous odds and ends, botanical paper, etc. 



Resuming our march, we reached, in a few hours, a large vil- 

 lage in the centre of much cultivation. This was the residence 

 of Mrima Ngombe, chief of Ugunda, and, as such, was called 

 Kwikuruh, that name being invariably given to the village at 

 which the chief of a district in Unyamwezi dwells. 



The men carrying my tent and cooking-gear having lagged 

 behind, I took refuge from the sun's rays in the village pub- 

 lic-house, where I became the centre of a wondering crowd. 



There are two of these public-houses — or perhaps they may 

 be more properly termed " clubs "i— in nearly every village 

 in Unyamwezi, one for each sex. That appropriated to the 

 women is not open to strangers ; but at the one frequented by 

 the men, all travelers of distinction are welcomed by the chiefs 

 and elders. As soon as a boy attains the age of seven or eight 

 years, he throws off the authority of his mother, and passes 

 most of his time at the club, usually eating and often sleep- 

 ing there. They are generally larger and better built than the 

 other huts, and a standing bed -place occupies a considerable 

 portion of the interior. 



