Chap. XYII. QUENDENDE'S POLITENESS. 315 



Katema, by purchasing cattle and receiving in a kind manner 

 all the fugitives who came to him, had secured the birthright to 

 himself, so far as influence in the country is concerned. Soana's 

 first address to us did not savour much of African wisdom. 



Friday, IQth. — On leaving Mozinkwa's hospitable mansion we 

 crossed another stream, about forty yards wide, in canoes. While 

 this tedious process was going on, I was informed that it is called 

 the Mona-Kalueje, or brother of Kalueje, as it flows into that 

 river ; that both the Kalueje and Livoa flow into the Leeba ; 

 and that the Chifumadze, swollen by the Lotembwa, is a feeder 

 of that river also, below the point where we lately crossed it. It 

 may be remarked here, that these rivers were now in flood, and 

 that the water was all perfectly clear. The vegetation on the 

 banks is so thickly planted, that the surface of the earth is not 

 abraded by the torrents. The grass is laid flat, and forms a pro- 

 tection to the banks, which are generally a stiff black loam. 

 The fact of canoes being upon them shows that, though not 

 large, they are not like the southern rivulets, which dry up 

 during most of the year, and render canoes unnecessary. 



As we were crossing the river, we were joined by a messenger 

 from Katema, called Shakatwala. This person was a sort of 

 steward or factotum to his chief. Every chief has one attached 

 to his person, and, though generally poor, they are invariably 

 men of great shrewdness and ability. They act the part of mes- 

 sengers on all important occasions, and possess considerable 

 authority in the chief's household. Shakatwala informed us that 

 Katema had not received precise information about us, but if we 

 were peaceably disposed, as he loved strangers, we were to come 

 to his town. We proceeded forthwith, but were turned aside, by 

 the strategy of our friend Intemese, to the village of Quendende, 

 the father-in-law of Katema. This fine old man was so very 

 polite, that we did not regret being obliged to spend Sunday at 

 his village. He expressed his pleasure at having a share in the 

 honour of a visit as well as Katema ; though it seemed to me 

 that the conferring that pleasure, required something like a 

 pretty good stock of impudence, in leading twenty-seven men 

 through the country, without the means of purchasing food. My 

 men did a little business for themselves in the begging line; 

 they generally commenced every interview with new villagers 



