Chap. XXVIU. MBURUMA'S VILLAGE AND PEOPLE. 581 



We explained the reason of our delay, and lie 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, but 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 Mm 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 had he only run across to Mburuma he would 

 have given him a little meal, and, having sprinkled that on the 

 ground as an offering to the gods, you would have found your 

 elephant." The chiefs in these parts take upon themselves an 

 office somewhat like the priesthood, and the people imagine that 

 they can propitiate the Deity through them. In illustration 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 — appa- 

 rently wishing me to give them medicine for success in then avo- 

 cations, as well as to cure the diseases of those to whom I was 

 administering the drugs. I thought they attributed supernatural 

 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, 

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

 to place then bows, arrows, and spears at a distance before entering 

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

 trouble now, as Ave 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 everywhere with mica, is very fertile, and 

 all the valleys are cultivated, the maize being now hi ear and 

 eatable. Ranges of lulls, which line both banks of the river 

 above tins, now come close up to each bank, and form a narrow 



