592 A FIGHT ANTICIPATED. Chap. XXIX. 



some bright red substance towards us. They then lighted a fire 

 with charms in it, and departed, uttering the same hideous 

 screams as before. This was intended to render us powerless, and 

 probably also to frighten us. Ever 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 in 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. Other 

 tilings also showed umnistakeable hostility. As we were now 

 pretty certain of a skirmish, I ordered an ox to be slaugh- 

 tered, as this is a means which Sebituane employed for inspiring 

 courage. I have no doubt that we should have been victorious ; 

 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, "get both com and clothes in plenty." 

 They were in a sad state, poor fellows ! for the rains we had 

 encountered had made their slrin-clothing drop off piecemeal, and 

 they were looked upon with disgust by the well-fed and well- 

 clothed Zambesians. They were, however, veterans hi 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 went 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 life. 



His whole tribe was assembled at about the distance of half 

 a mile. As the country is covered with trees, we did not see 

 them ; but every now and then a few came about us as spies, 



