A FIGHT ANTICIPATED. H81 



Ev r er since dawn, parties of armed men have been seen 

 collecting from all quarters, and numbers passed us while 

 it was yet dark. Had we moved down the river at once, 

 it would have been considered an indication of fear or 

 defiance, and so would a retreat. I therefore resolved to 

 wait, trusting to Him who has the hearts of all men in 

 his hands. They evidently intended to attack us, for no 

 friendly message was sent; and, when three of the Batoka 

 the night before entered the village to beg food, a man 

 went round about each of them, making a noise like a lion 

 The villagers then called upon them to do homage, and, 

 when they complied, the chief ordered some chaff to be 

 given them, as if it had been food. Othej things also 

 showed unmistakable hostility. As we were now pretty 

 certain of a skirmish, I ordered an ox to be slaughtered, 

 as this is a means which Sebituane employed for inspiring 

 courage. I have no doubt that we should have been vic- 

 torious : indeed, my men, who were far better acquainted 

 with fighting than any of the people on the Zambesi, were 

 rejoicing in the prospect of securing captives to carry the 

 tusks for them. " We shall now," said they, u get both, 

 corn and clothes in plenty." They were in a sad state, 

 poor fellows; for the rains we had encountered had made 

 their skin-clothing drop off piecemeal, and they were 

 looked upon with disgust by the well-fed and well-clothed 

 Zambesians. They were, however, veterans in maraud 

 ing; and the head-men, instead of being depressed by fear, 

 as the people of Mpende intended should be the case in 

 using their charms, hinted broadly to me that I ought to 

 allow them to keep Mpende's wives. The roasting of meat 

 weut on fast and furious, and some of the young men said 

 to me, "You have seen us with elephants, but you don't 

 know yet what we can do with men." I believe that, 

 had Mpende struck the first blow, he would soon have 

 found out that he never made a greater mistake in his 

 T.fe. 



His whole tribe was assembled at about the distance of 



