I860.] MATUMOEA'S GEOGRAPHY. 41 



the south- west here, and is from 150 to 200 yards wide, while 

 the Rovuma above Matawatawa is from 200 to 250, full of 

 islands, rocks, and sandbanks. The Loendi has the same 

 character. We can see the confluence from where Ave cross 

 about 2' to the north. Both rivers are rapid, shoal, and 

 sandy ; small canoes are used on them, and the people pride 

 themselves on their skilful management : in this the women 

 seem in no way inferior to the men. 



In looking up the Loendi we see a large granitic peak 

 called Nkanje, some 20 miles off, and beyond it the dim out- 

 line of distant highlands, in which seams of coal are exposed. 

 Pieces of the mineral are found in Loendi's sands. 



Matumora has a good character in the country, and 

 many flee to him from oppression. He was very polite; 

 sitting on the right bank till all the goods were carried 

 over, then coming in the same canoe with me himself, 

 he opened a fish basket in a weir and gave me the contents, 

 and subsequently a little green sorghum. He literally has 

 lost all his corn, for he was obliged to flee with his people 

 to Marumba, a rocky island in Rovuma, about six miles 

 above Matawatawa. He says that both Loendi and Rovuma 

 come out of Lake Nyassa ; a boat could not ascend, however, 

 because many waterfalls are in their course : it is strange if 

 all this is a myth. Matumora asked if the people through 

 whose country I had come would preserve the peace I wished. 

 He says he has been assailed on all sides by slave-hunters : 

 he alone has never hunted for captives : if the people in 

 front should attack me he would come and fight them : 

 finally he had never seen a European before (Dr. Roscher 

 travelled as an Arab), nor could I learn where Likumbu 

 at Ngomano lives ; it was with him that Roscher is said to 

 have left his goods. 



The Mazitu had women, children, oxen and goats with 

 them. The whole tribe lives on plundering the other natives 

 by means of the terror their shields inspire ; had they gone 



