104 SET OUT FOR NYASSA. Chap. V. 



CHAPTEE V. 



Leave the vessel for discovery of Lake Nyassa — Manganja liiglilands, beauti- 

 ful, well-wooded, and well-watered — Pasturage — Style of introduction to 

 the Manganja — People, agriculturists, and workers in iron, cotton, &c. — 

 Foreign and indigenous cotton — The Pelele, or lip-ring — Possible use for 

 this ornament — Beer-drinkers — Ordeal by Muave — Mourning for the dead 

 — Belief in a Supreme Being — Pamalombe Lakelet — Chiefs wife killed 

 by a crocodile — Discovery of Lake Nyassa, 16th September, 1859 — Its 

 subsequent discovery by Dr. Roscher — The " Goree" or slave-stick — Seve- 

 ral modes by which the slave-trade is supplied — Ajawa — Manganja — More 

 suspicious than the Zambesi tribes — Zimika's lack of hospitality — Fine 

 and bracing climate — Great influence to be gained by a steamer on Lake 



■ Nyassa. 



We left the ship, on the 28th of August, 1859, for the dis- 

 covery of Lake Nyassa. Our party numbered forty-two in all 

 — four whites, thirty-six Makololo, and two guides. We did 

 not actually need so many, either for carriage or defence ; 

 but took them because Ave believed that, human nature 

 being everywhere the same, blacks are as ready as whites 

 to take advantage of the weak, and are as civil and respectful 

 to the powerful. We armed our men with muskets, which 

 gave us influence, although it did not add much to our 

 strength, as most of the men had never drawn a trigger, 

 and in any conflict would in all probability have been more 

 dangerous to us than to the enemy. 



Our path crossed the valley, in a north-easterly direction, 

 up the course of a beautiful flowing stream. Many of the 

 gardens had excellent cotton growing in them. An hour's 

 march brought us to the foot of the Manganja hills, up 



