768 "an unfortunate affair." 



thing. Chawende interfered, and for the moment prevented 

 farther difficulty ; in fact, he himself seems to have been in- 

 clined to grant the favor which was asked : however, there was 

 danger brewing, and the men retired. 



When the main body met them returning, tired with their 

 fruitless errand, a consultation took place. Wood there was 

 none. To scatter about and find materials with which to build 

 shelter for the night, would only offer a great temptation to 

 these drunken excited people to plunder the baggage. It was 

 resolved to make for the town. 



When they reached the gate of the stockade they were flatly 

 refused admittance, those inside telling them to go down to 

 the river and camp on the bank. They replied that this was 

 impossible: that they were tired, it was very late, and nothing 

 could be found there to give them shelter. Meeting with no 

 different answer, Safene said, " Why stand talking to them ? 

 let us get in somehow or other ; " and, suiting the action to the 

 word, they pushed the men back who stood in the gateway. 

 Safene got through, and Muanyasere climbed over the top of 

 the stockade, followed by Chuma, who instantly opened the 

 gate wide and let his companions through. Hostilities might 

 still have been averted had better counsel prevailed. 



The men began to look about for huts in which to deposit 

 their things, when the same drunken fellow drew a bow and 

 fired at Muanyasere. The man called out to the others to 

 seize him, which was done in an instant. A loud cry now burst 

 forth that the chiefs son was in danger, and one of the people, 

 hurling a spear, wounded Sabouri slightly in the thigh : this 

 was the signal for a general scrimmage. 



Chawende's men fled from the town ; the drums beat the 

 assembly in all directions, and an immense number flocked to 

 the spot from the two neighboring villages, armed with their 

 bows, arrows, and spears. An assault instantly began from the 

 outside. N'chise was shot with an arrow in the shoulder through 

 the palisade, and N'taru in the finger. Things were becoming 

 desperate for the caravan, so, putting the body of Dr. Living- 

 stone and all their goods and chattels in one hut, the men charged 

 out of the town, and fired on the assailants, killing two and 

 wounding several others. Fearing that they would only gather 



