430 VALLEY OF THE EOVUMA. Chap. XXL 



places, where the river divided into two or three channels, 

 there was not water enough in any of them for a boat draw- 

 ing three feet, so we had to drag ours over the shoals ; but 

 we saw the river at its very lowest, and it may be years 

 before it is so dried up again. 



The valley of the Eovuma, bounded on each side by a 

 range of highlands, is from two to four miles in width, and 

 comes in a pretty straight course from the W. S. W. ; but 

 the channel of the river is winding, and now at its lowest 

 zigzagged so perversely, that frequently the boats had to pass 

 over three miles to make one in a straight line. With a 

 full stream it must of course be much easier work. Few 

 natives were seen during the first week. Their villages are 

 concealed in the thick jungle on the hill-sides, for protection 

 from marauding slave-parties. Not much of interest was ob- 

 served on this part of the silent and shallow river. Though 

 feeling convinced that it was unfit for navigation, except for 

 eight months of the year, we pushed on, resolved to see if, 

 further inland, the accounts we had received from different 

 naval officers of its great capabilities would prove correct ; 

 or if, by communication with Lake Nyassa, even the upper 

 part could be turned to account. Our exploration showed us, 

 that the greatest precaution is required in those who visit 

 new countries. 



The reports we received from gentlemen, who had entered 

 the river and were well qualified to judge, were that the 

 Eovuma was infinitely superior to the Zambesi, in the ab- 

 sence of any bar at its mouth, in its greater volume of 

 water, and in the beauty of the adjacent lands. We pro- 

 bably came at a different season from that in which they 

 visited it, and our account ought to be taken with theirs to 

 arrive at the truth. It might be available as a highway 

 for commerce during three quarters of each year ; but casual 



