Chap. XIX. ARAB GEOGEAPHY. 389 



the remainder. They rushed at it like hungry hyenas, and 

 in an incredibly short time every inch of it was carried off. 

 It was only by knowing that the meat would all be used, that 

 we felt justified in the slaughter of this noble creature. The 

 tusks weighed 62 lbs. each. A large amount of ivory might 

 be obtained from the people of Nyassa, and we were frequently 

 told of their having it in their huts. 



While detained by a storm on the 17th October at the 

 mouth of the Kaombe, we were visited by several men belong- 

 ing to an Arab who had been for fourteen years in the interior 

 at Katanga's, south of Cazembe's. They had just brought 

 down ivory, malachite, copper rings, and slaves to exchange 

 for cloth at the lake. The malachite was said to be dug out 

 of a large vein on the side of a hill near Katanga's. They 

 knew Lake Tanganyika well, but had not heard of the Zambesi. 

 They spoke quite positively, saying that the water of Lake 

 Tanganyika flowed out by the opposite end to that of Nyassa. 

 As they had seen neither of the overflows, we took it simply as 

 a piece of Arab geography. We passed their establishment 

 of long sheds next day, and were satisfied that the Arabs must 

 be driving a good trade. It is difficult to get at facts, or 

 draw out of the natives any reliable information respecting 

 the country in front. Some are so suspicious of strangers that 

 they show extreme caution in their answers, and are unwilling 

 to commit themselves by any statement ; while others draw 

 largely upon their imagination, and tell marvels equal to the 

 most romancing tales of ancient travellers, or say just what 

 they think will please one. 



" How far is it to the end of the lake ? " we inquired of an 

 intelligent-looking native at the south part. " The other end 

 of the lake ! " he exclaimed, in real or well-feigned astonish- 

 ment, " who ever heard of such a thing ? Why, if one started 

 when a mere boy to walk to the other end of the lake, he 



