Chap. XXL CANOE-MEN'S SONG. 419 



shove all at the same instant. The helm had hardly to 

 be touched at all, so well did they keep the boat on her 

 course. Many of their canoe songs are very fine ; some are 

 peculiarly plaintive, like the one which appears to be a 

 lament over a dying Chief. There being but little wind 

 during the first day, the sail could not be used ; but towards 

 sunset a pleasant breeze sprang up and sail was set. 

 The canoe-men were of course much pleased to see the boat 

 moving on without then- exertions. The Makololo of our first 

 party always maintained that a sailing-boat was the perfection 

 of navigation — it was vastly superior to a steamer, because no 

 wood had to be cut — and you had merely to sit still, and let 

 the wind drive you along. After dark the wind increased, 

 the boat swept swiftly through the water; the men, who 

 are of an excitable temperament, felt the influence, and 

 began an extemporary and very energetic song. As the 

 breeze freshened, the boat dashed through the waves ; 

 then, wild with excitement the men sprang to their feet, and 

 sang still louder, gesticulating with might and main. Sud- 

 denly the career of song ceased — the singers were sprawling 

 on their backs — the boat was on a sandbank. 



On an island opposite Shiramba the party found a large 

 number of fugitive Manganja, who had fled from the war on 

 the mainland. A man banished from Portugal, called Bel- 

 chior, who had married a sister of the half-caste Chief below 

 Tette, and had settled near Lupata, was encamped on an 

 island in Shigogo. They were challenged as they sailed past 

 it after dark. The fife and drums called to arms. "The 

 English ! the English ! " our men answered, and no molesta- 

 tion ensued. Chibisa, he told them, had sent an insulting 

 message to him, so he attacked him, and, with seventy men 

 armed with muskets, drove him from his principal village 

 near the Zambesi, and burned it. Even private persons 



