408 THE ROVUMA AGAIN. 



When they were at last put in possession of the "Lady Nyassa" 

 — the little iron steamer with which they proposed to force their 

 way up the rapids of the Zambesi and the Shire — the season 

 had so far advanced that they could not think of that under- 

 taking until another flood time, which would involve inevitably 

 a delay of several months ; and it was decided to attempt again 

 the exploration of the Rovuma, which was reported to flow from 

 Lake Nyassa. They were the more anxious to find out the 

 truth of this report, because such a discovery would put them in 

 communication with the vast fertile regions about the lake and 

 along the Upper Shire, by a path free from the annoyance of 

 Lisbon taxation. Accordingly they set out about the 1st of 

 September, 1862, on a journey which occupied about one 

 month. The results of this expedition were not gratifying, 

 though much more satisfactory than their former effort. They 

 ascended without serious difficulty about one hundred and fifty 

 miles, where they encountered the peculiar obstructions which 

 seem to belong to all African rivers. The river became narrow 

 and rocky, and further navigation was found impossible. Few 

 incidents occurred which would interest the reader. 



The valley was about four miles wide and bounded on each 

 side by a range of high hills. During the first week very few 

 people were seen. Their villages were all concealed in the 

 thick jungles on the hill-sides for protection from marauding 

 slave parties. The absence of bird or animal life was remarka- 

 ble, and the shallow, winding channel, in the midst of absolute 

 stillness, was cheerless indeed. The language of the people 

 differed considerably from that in use on the Zambesi, though 

 it seemed to be of the same family. The customs of the people, 

 as far as ascertained, were not unlike those along the other 

 rivers — the same love of ornament and the follies of fashion. 

 Hunting the senze — an animal about the size of a large cat, but 

 in shape more resembling a pig — was the chief business of men 

 and boys along the reedy banks. In this singular sport they 

 set fire to a mass of reeds, and, armed with sticks, spears, bows 

 and arrows, stand in groups guarding the outlets through which 

 the scared senze may run from the approaching flames. Dark, 

 dense volumes of impenetrable smoke now roll over on the lee 

 side of the islet, and shroud the hunters. At times vast sheets 



