18G7.] ANOTHER FIT OF INSENSIBILITY. 207 



marauders have changed their tactics, for they demand so 

 many people, and so many cloths, and then leave. They 

 made it known that their next scene of mulcting would be 

 Mombo's village, and there they took twelve people — four 

 slaves, and many cloths, then went south to the hills they 

 inhabit. A strict watch was kept on their movements by 

 our headman and his men. They trust to fleeing into a 

 thicket on the west of the village should the Mazitu come. 



I have been informed on good authority that Kasonso was 

 on his way to us when news arrived that his young son had 

 died. He had sent on beer and provisions for us, but the 

 Mazitu intervening they were consumed. 



The Mazitu having left we departed and slept half-way 

 up the ridge. I had another fit of insensibility last night : 

 the muscles of the back lose all power,* and there is constant 

 singing in the ears, and inability to do the simplest sum. 

 Cross the Aeeze (which makes the water-fall) fifteen yards 

 wide and knee deep. The streams like this are almost 

 innumerable. 



Mombo's village. It is distressingly difficult to elicit 

 accurate information about the Lake and rivers, because the 

 people do not think accurately. Mombo declared that two 

 Arabs came when we were below, and inquired for us, but he 

 denied our presence, thinking thereby to save us trouble and 

 harm. 



The cotton cultivated is of the Pernambuco species, and 

 the bushes are seven or eight feet high. Much cloth was 

 made in these parts before the Mazitu raids began, it was 

 striped black and white, and many shawls are seen in the 

 country yet. It is curious that this species of cotton should 

 be found only in the middle of this country. 



In going westwards on the upland the country is level 



* This is a common symptom — men will suddenly lose all power in the 

 lower extremities, and remain helpless where they fall. — Ed. 



