DISCOVERY OF THE VICTORIA N'YANZA. 53 



probably fourteen or fifteen miles, the village of 

 Sukuma is situated, and there canoes are obtainable 

 for crossing to Ukerewe, which island being six 

 hours' paddling, and lying due north of it, must 

 give the firth a breadth of about fifteen miles. 

 Whilst walking back to camp, I shot two red geese 

 and a florikan, like those I once shot in the Somali 

 country. This must have been a dainty dish for my 

 half-starved Arab companion, who had lost all his 

 property on first arriving here, and was now living 

 on Mahaya's generosity. It appears that nine months 

 ago he was enabled, by the assistance of Mahaya, to 

 hire some boats and men at Sukuma, and had sent 

 his property, consisting of fifteen loads of cloth and 

 250 jembis or hoes, by them to Ukerewe, to exchange 

 for ivory. But by the advice of Mahaya, and fearing 

 to trust himself as a stranger amongst the islanders, 

 he did not accompany his merchandise. Sultan 

 Machunda, a man of the highest character by Un- 

 yanyembe report, on seeing such a prize enter his 

 port, gave orders for its seizure, and will now give 

 no redress to the unfortunate Mansur. All Mahaya's 

 exertions to recover it have proved abortive : and 

 Mansur has therefore been desirous of taking his 

 revenge by making an attack in person on Ukerewe, 

 but the " generous " Mahaya said, " No, your life is 

 yet safe, do not risk it ; but let my men do what 

 they can, and in the meanwhile, as I have been a 

 party to your losses, I will feed you and your people ; 



