150 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. VI.. 



which had worn itself a channel on the north side of the 

 village. The Bna, like most African streams whose sources 

 I have seen, rises in an oozing boggy spot. Another stream,, 

 the Tenibwe, rises near the same spot, and flows N.W. into 

 the Loangwa. We saw Shuare palms in its bed. 



21st November. — We left Bua fountain, lat. 13° 40' south,, 

 and made a short march to Mokatoba, a stockaded village, 

 where the people refused to admit us till the headman 

 came. They [have a little food here, and sold us some. 

 We have been on rather short commons for some time, and 

 this made our detention agreeable. We rose a little in 

 altitude after leaving this morning, then, though in the 

 same valley, made a little descent towards the N.N.W. 

 High winds came driving over the eastern range, which is 

 called Mchinje, and bring large masses of clouds, which are 

 the rain-givers. They seem to come from the south-east. 

 The scenery of the valley is lovely and rich in the extreme- 

 All the foliage is fresh washed and clean ; young herbage 

 is bursting through the ground ; the air is deliciously cool,, 

 and the birds are singing joyfully : one, called Mzie, is a 

 good songster, with a loud melodious voice. Large game 

 abounds, but we do not meet with it. 



We are making our way slowly to the north, where food 

 is said to be abundant. I divided about 50 lbs. of powder 

 among the people of my following to shoot with, and buy 

 goats or other food as we could. This reduces our extra 

 loads to three — four just now, Simon being sick again. He 

 rubbed goat's-fat on a blistered surface, and caused an 

 eruption of pimples. 



Mem. — The people assent by lifting up the head instead of 

 nodding it down as we do; deaf mutes are said to do the 

 same. 



22nd November. — Leaving Mokatoba village, and pro- 

 ceeding down the valley, which on the north is shut up 

 apparently by a mountain called Kokwe, we crossed the- 



