XIII.] 



COMPARATIVE COMFORT. 



IVI 



Tlie scenery was grand. To the west were the gigantic 

 mountains of Ugoma, while on the eastern shore was a dense 

 growth of cane-grass of a bright green. Occasional open spaces 

 disclosed yellow sandy beaches and bright-red miniature cliffs, 

 with palm-trees and villages close to the water's edge, l^umer- 

 ous canoes moving about, and gulls, divers, and darters, gave 

 life to the scene ; and distant floating islands of grass had very 

 much the appearance of boats under sail. 



At Ivawele I was most warmly welcomed by the traders, who 

 turned out to meet me, and with them I sat in state until the 

 house placed at my disposal was ready to receive me. 



February, 

 1814. 



This ceremonious sitting took place under the veranda of 

 Mohammed ibn Salib, who, with his compatriots, was full of 

 anxiety to hear any news from Ilnyanyembe and the coast, as 

 none had been received at Ujiji for a long time previous to my 

 coming. Especially anxious were they to learn particulars of 

 Mirambo's proceedings, and were greatly annoyed and disgust- 

 ed to hear of his continued activity. The prevailing feeling 

 among them did not seem to be one of fear that they might be 

 robbed by him on the road to Ilnyanyembe, but rather that they 

 should be compelled by Said ibn Salim to remain there instead 

 of going on to Zanzibar, so as to increase the numerical strength 

 at his disposal. However, they were rejoiced to hear that the 

 journey had been accomplished, and be2:an almost immediately 



12 



