210 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOUENALS. [Chap. VIII. 



explaining whence I had come, I showed them the Sultan's 

 letter. Hamees presented a goat, two fowls, and a quantity 

 of flour. It was difficult to get to the bottom of the Nsama 

 affair, but according to their version that chief sent an 

 invitation to them, and when they arrived called for 

 his people, who came in crowds — as he said to view the 

 strangers. I suspect that the Arabs became afraid of the 

 crowds and began to fire ; several were killed on both sides, 

 and Nsama fled, leaving his visitors in possession of the 

 stockaded village and all it contained. Others say that 

 there was a dispute about an elephant, and that Nsania's 

 people were the aggressors. At any rate it is now all 

 confusion ; those who remain at Nsania's village help them- 

 selves to food in the surrounding villages and burn them, 

 while Chitimba has sent for the party who are quartered 

 here to come to him. An hour or two after we arrived a 

 body of men came from Kasonso, with the intention of pro- 

 ceeding into the country of Nsama, and if possible catch- 

 ing Nsama, " he having broken public law by attacking 

 people who brought merchandise into the country." This 

 new expedition makes the Arabs resolve to go and do 

 what they can to injure their enemy. It will just be a 

 plundering foray — each catching what he can, whether 

 animal or human, and retiring when it is no longer safe to 

 plunder ! 



This throws the barrier of a broad country between me 

 and Lake " Moero " in the west, but I trust in Providence 

 a way will be opened. I think now of going southwards 

 and then westwards, thus making a long detour round the 

 disturbed district. 



The name of the principal Arab is Hamees Wodim Tagh, 

 the other is Syde bin Alle bin Mansure : they are connected 

 with one of the most influential native mercantile houses 

 in Zanzibar. Hamees has been particularly kind to me in 

 presenting food, beads, cloth, and getting information. 



