DISCOVERY OF THE VICTORIA N'YAXZA. 57 



expression when in conversation, confirms this opinion, 

 though a casual observer passing by that dark, broad, 

 massive face, still more darkened by a matting of 

 short, close, and tightly- curled-up ringlets, would be 

 apt to carry away a contrary impression. Before 

 leaving Kaze, I notified my intention of visiting 

 Ukerewe, supposing I could do so in three or four 

 days, and explained to my men my wishes on this 

 point. Hearing this, they told both Mahaya and 

 Mansur, in direct terms, that I was going, and so 

 needlessly set them to work finessing to show how 

 much they were in earnest in their consideration of 

 me. However, they have both been very warm in 

 dissuading me from visiting Ukerewe, apparently 

 quite in a parental way, for each seems to think him- 

 self in a measure my guardian. Mahaya thinks it 

 his duty to caution those who visit him from running 

 into danger, which a journey to Ukerewe, he con- 

 siders, would be. Mansur, on the other hand, says, 

 as I have come from his Sultan Majid, he also is 

 bound to render -me any assistance in his power; but 

 strongly advises my giving up the notion of going 

 across the water. I could get boats from Usukuma, 

 he said, but there would be great delay in the busi- 

 ness, as I should have first to send over and ask per- 

 mission from Machunda to land, and then the collect- 

 ing men and boats would occupy a long time. As 

 regards the collection of boats taking a long time, 

 these arguments are very fair, as I know from experi- 



