558 SCENERY ON LAKE MOERO. 



dwelt with enthusiasm on its charming scenery, and we will see 

 by-and-by, how important a place its waters held in his theory 

 of the hidden fountains, which the curious world has been seek- 

 ing during so many thousand years. Standing on the north 

 in the clearest day, with a strong glass, he says he could not 

 see its southern shore ; but it was narrower, and the eye could 

 wander between the lofty ranges on the east and west, resting, 

 as it pleased, on the lake. The ranges which confine it are only 

 twelve or fourteen miles apart at the more northern portion, 

 diverging as they extend southward, to embrace a broad valley 

 across which various streamlets and rivers winding slowly 

 bring their offerings as to a queen. Along the shores, between 

 the mountain and the water, the humidity has encouraged the 

 ginger and ferns to marvellous profusion, and splendid tropical 

 forests cloth the valley, and lend their canopy of shade to herds 

 of sporting zebras, groups of drowsy elephants, and monstrous 

 buffaloes, and in their deeper gloom conceal the lion's lair, and 

 the stealthy leopard, waiting to surprise his prey. It is strange 

 that such a spot could never tempt the Arab from his bloody 

 path to gaze a while, and if he came there, it is wonderful that 

 the tuition of the scene could not kindle loftier thoughts than 

 his dull brooding on unholy wealth. It is saddest of all to 

 think upon, that in the fall of man, his soul was so enslaved of 

 selfishness, that all the charms of nature and the grace of God 

 cannot call away his greedy thought from gain. The tribes 

 dwelling about the shores of the lake had become thoroughly 

 infected by the Arab spirit, and would lie or steal, or fight for 

 the most trifling chance to fleece a traveller. The doctor had a 

 bit of experience with them in crossing the Kalongosi river, 

 which forms the northern boundary of Casembe's country ; the 

 people of the village on its bank were at first the impersonations 

 of loyalty, and protested that they could not convey any of the 

 party out of the country for fear of displeasing the chief; but 

 their scruples yielded readily, when a fee was suggested, and 

 from absolute refusal to carry him over, the patriots almost 

 came to blows in competition for the doubtful service. The 

 foreign influence which had been brought to bear on these un- 

 happy people had not given them loftier thoughts ; if they were 

 not entirely absorbed, still in eating and drinking it was hardly 



