520 WELCOME FROM SHINTE. 



the Leelba and Leeambye, commended itself to my judgment at 

 the time as a geographically suitable point for civilization and 

 commerce. The right bank of the Leeba there is never flooded ; 

 and from that point there is communication by means of canoes 

 to the country of the Kanyika, and also to Cazernbe and beyond, 

 with but one or two large waterfalls between. There is no ob- 

 struction down to the Barotse valley ; and there is probably canoe 

 navigation down the Kafue or Bashukulompo River, though it is 

 reported to contain many cataracts. It flows through a fertile 

 country, well peopled with Bamasasa, who cultivate the native 

 produce largely. 



As this was the middle of winter, it may be mentioned that the 

 temperature of the water in the morning was 47°, and that of the 

 air 50°, which, being loaded with moisture, was very cold to the 

 feelings. Yet the sun was very hot by day, and the temperature in 

 the coolest shade from 88° to 90° ; in the evenings from 76° to 78°. 



Before reaching the town of Shinte we passed through many 

 large villages of the Balobale, who have fled from the chief Kan- 

 genke. The Mambari from Bihe come constantly to him for 

 trade ; and, as he sells his people, great numbers of them escape 

 to Shinte and Katema, who refuse to give them up. 



We reached our friend Shinte, and received a hearty welcome 

 from this friendly old man, and abundant provisions of the best 

 he had. On hearing the report of the journey given by my 

 companions, and receiving a piece of cotton cloth about two yards 

 square, he said, " These Mambari cheat us by bringing little pieces 

 only ; but the next time you pass I shall send men with you to 

 trade for me in Loanda." When I explained the use made of the 

 slaves he sold, and that he was just destroying his own tribe by 

 selling his people, and enlarging that of the Mambari for the sake 

 of these small pieces of cloth, it seemed to him quite a new idea. / 

 He entered into a long detail of his troubles with Masiko, who 

 had prevented him from cultivating that friendship with the Ma- 

 kololo which I had inculcated, and had even plundered the mes- 

 sengers he had sent with Kolimbota to the Barotse valley. Shinte 

 was particularly anxious to explain that Kolimbota had remained 

 after my departure of his own accord, and that he had engaged 

 in the quarrels of the country without being invited ; that, in 

 attempting to capture one of the children of a Balobale man, 



