102 DAKANAMOIO ISLAND. Chap. IV. 



variety, though planted only in the street at Tette ; and there 

 also a salt efflorescence appears, probably from decomposition 

 of the rock, off which the people scrape it for use. 



Above the palm-trees, a succession of rich low islands 

 stud the river. Many of them are cultivated and grow 

 maize at all times of the year, for we saw it in different 

 stages of growth ; some patches ripe, and others half-grown, 

 or just sprouting out of the ground. The shores are adorned 

 with rows of banana-trees, and the fruit is abundant and 

 cheap. Many of the reedy banks are so intertwined with 

 convolvulus, and other creepers, as to be absolutely impene- 

 trable. They are beautiful to the eye, a smooth wall of 

 living green rising out of the crystal water, and adorned 

 with lovely flowers; but so dense, that, if capsized in the 

 water, one could scarcely pass through to land. 



The large village of the Chief, Mankokwe, occupies a site 

 on the right bank ; he owns a number of fertile islands, and 

 is said to be the Eundo, or paramount Chief, of a large 

 district. Being of an unhappy suspicious disposition, he 

 would not see us ; so we thought it best to move on, rather 

 than spend time in seeking his favour. 



On the 25th August we reached Dakanamoio Island, 

 opposite the perpendicular bluff on which Chibisa's village 

 stands ; he had gone, with most of his people, to live near 

 the Zambesi, but his headman was civil, and promised us 

 guides and whatever else we needed. A few of the men 

 were busy cleaning, sorting, spinning, and weaving cotton. 

 This is a common sight in nearly every village, and each 

 family appears to have its patch of cotton, as our own 

 ancestors in Scotland had each his patch of flax. Near sunset 

 an immense flock of the largest species of hornbill (Bueeros 

 cristatus) came here to roost on the great trees which 



