312 chitlane's village. 



rise; but this last year the water approached nearer to an 

 entire submergence of the whole valley than has been 

 known in the memory of man. Great numbers of people 

 were now suffering from sickness, which always prevails 

 when the waters are drying up, and I found much demand 

 for the medicines I had brought from Loanda. The great 

 variation of the temperature each day must have a trying 

 effect upon the health. At this village there is a real Indian 

 banian-tree, which has spread itself over a considerable 

 space by means of roots from its branches; it has been 

 termed, in consequence, " the tree with legs," (more oa 

 maotu.) It is curious that trees of this family are looked 

 upon with veneration, and all the way from the Barotse to 

 Loanda are thought to be preservatives from evil. 



On reaching Naliele on the 1st of August we found 

 Mpololo in great affliction on account of the death of his 

 daughter and her child. She had been lately confined; 

 and her father naturally remembered her when an ox was 

 slaughtered, or when the tribute of other food, which he 

 receives in lieu of Sekeletu, came in his way, and sent fre- 

 quent presents to her. This moved the envy of one of 

 the Makololo who hated Mpololo, and, wishing to vex him, 

 he entered the daughter's hut by night, and strangled both 

 her and her child. He then tried to make fire in the hut 

 and burn it, so that the murder might not be known ; but 

 the squeaking noise of rubbing the sticks awakened a ser- 

 vant, and the murderer was detected. Both he and his 

 wife were thrown into the river, — the latter having "known 

 of her husband's intentions, and not revealing them." 

 Bhe declared she had dissuaded him from the crime, and, 

 had any one interposed a word, she might have Deen 

 spared. 



Mpololo exerted himself in every way to supply us with 

 other canoes, and we left Shinte's with him. The Mam- 

 bowe were well received, and departed with friendly mes- 

 sages to their chief Masiko. My men were exceedingly 

 delighted with the cordial reception we met with every* 



