622 MBURUMA'S VILLAGE AND PEOPLE. 



We explained the reason of our delay, and he told us that we 

 were looked upon with alarm. He said that Siriatomba had "been 

 killed near the village of Selole, and hence that man's fears. He 

 added that the Italian had come talking of peace, as we did, hut 

 had kidnapped children and bought ivory with them, and that we 

 were supposed to be following the same calling. I pointed to my 

 men, and asked if any of these were slaves, and if we had any 

 children among them, and I think we satisfied him that we were 

 true men. Referring to our ill success in hunting the day before, 

 he said, " The man at whose village you remained was in fault in 

 allowing you to want meat, for he had only to run across to Mbu- 

 ruma ; he would have given him a little meal, and, having sprin- 

 kled that on the ground as an offering to the gods, you would have 

 found your elephant." The chiefs in these parts take upon them- 

 selves an office somewhat like the priesthood, and the people im- 

 agine that they can propitiate the Deity through them. In illus- 

 tration of their ideas, it may be mentioned that, when we were 

 among the tribes west of Semalembue, several of the people came 

 forward and introduced themselves — one as a hunter of elephants, 

 another as a hunter of hippopotami, a third as a digger of pitfalls 

 — apparently wishing me to give them medicine for success in 

 their avocations, as well as to cure the diseases of those to whom 

 I was administering the drugs. I thought they attributed super- 

 natural power to them, for, like all Africans, they have unbounded 

 faith in the efficacy of charms ; but I took pains to let them know 

 that they must pray and trust to another power than mine for aid. 

 We never saw Mburuma himself, and the conduct of his people 

 indicated very strong suspicions, though he gave us presents of 

 meal, maize, and native corn. His people never came near us ex- 

 cept in large bodies and fully armed. We had to order them to 

 place their bows, arrows, and spears at a distance before entering 

 our encampment. We did not, however, care much for a little 

 trouble now, as we hoped that, if we could pass this time without 

 much molestation, we might yet be able to return with ease, and 

 without meeting sour, suspicious looks. 



The soil, glancing every where with mica, is very fertile, and all 

 the valleys are cultivated, the maize being now in ear and eatable. 

 Ranges of hills, which line both banks of the river above this, 

 now come close up to each bank, and form a narrow gorge, which, 



