XVI.] MOSQUITOES. 211 



seen of her the next morning (28th April), began to think of April, 

 turning back in search of her. But in the afternoon she hove ^^'^*- 

 in siglit, and it appeared that her crew, being frightened at the 

 sea, had camped before Kapoppo. 



In a deep inlet near the mouth of Lovuma River I found 

 the remains of a large Arab camp, and also two very large 

 boats — one pulling twenty and the other eighteen oars, and fit- 

 ted with masts — hauled up under a shed. They were the prop- 

 erty of Jumah Merikani, who had gone into Msama's country 

 to trade. 



Jumah Merikani first began trading past here when Burton 

 was at Ujiji, and had now been fifteen years at it. He is said 

 to keep a jDcrmanent gang of Wanyamwezi porters, and only to 

 stay at Ujiji long enough to sell and dispatch his ivory, and lay 

 in a fresh stock of trade goods. 



The people seemed very friendly, and one jolly-looking old 

 fellow, who was doing duty as chief wdiile the latter was away 

 on a tour of inspection, came and salaamed most profoundly to 

 me and rubbed dust on his chest and arms, that being the cus- 

 tomary way of paying homage. Heads and tails were adorned 

 here much the same as before. 



Large mosquitoes were constantly biting in the day-time, and 

 my back was covered with boils. I could neither sit nor lie 

 down in comfort, and the soreness of my feet prevented my 

 making much use of them. My stay was not altogether en- 

 joyable. I should mention that I met wild grapes here for the 

 first time on my journey. 



The night of the 29th of April promised to be so fine that I 

 decided to sleejD in the boat, in a little land-locked bay, instead 

 of under canvas, and the men lay out in the open air, without 

 building any huts, A sudden change to rain consequently 

 brought with it some hours of discomfort and miseiy. The 

 Ijoats were half filled with water, and the men's spare gear was 

 all swamped, 



I gave them two hours to dry their clothing and do their 

 cooking; and seeing no signs of a move at the expiration of 

 that time, I sung out, " Paka, paka " (pack up). The reply I 

 received was, " Kesho " (to-morrow). On looking for Bombay 

 to ascertain what this meant, I found him quietly sitting in the 



