( 13G ) 



CHAPTEE VI. 



Progress northwards. An African forest. Destruction by Mazitu. Native 

 salutations. A disagreeable chief. On the watershed between the 

 Lake and the Loangwa Eiver. Extensive iron-workings. An old 

 Mmrod. The Bua Eiver. Lovely scenery. Difficulties of transport. 

 Chilobe. An African Pythoness. Enlists two Waiyou bearers. 111. 

 The Chitella bean. Pains set in. Arrives at the Loangwa. 



We started with Chitikola as our guide 011 the 22nd of 

 October, and he led us away westwards across the Lilongwe- 

 Eiver, then turned north till we came to a village called 

 Mashumba, the headman of which w r as the only chief who- 

 begged anything except medicine, and he got less than we 

 were in the habit of giving in consequence : we give a cloth 

 usually, and clothing being very scarce this is considered 

 munificent.* 



We had the Zalanyama range on our left, and our course- 

 was generally north, but we had to go in the direction of 

 the villages which w r ere on friendly terms with our guides, 

 and sometimes we went but a little way, as they studied 

 to make the days as short as possible. The headman of 

 the last village, Chitoku, was with us, and he took us to a 

 village of smiths, four furnaces and one smithy being at 

 work. We crossed the Chiniambo, a strong river coming 

 from Zalanyama and flowing into the Mirongwe, which again 

 goes into Lintipe. The country near the hills becomes. 

 covered with forest, the trees are chiefly Masuko Mochenga. 



A cloth means two yards of unbleached calico. 



