1867.] EXPEDITION OF ALLIES AGAINST NSAMA. 219 



as if afloat, but it lasted only a few seconds. The boys 

 came running to ask me what it was. Nowhere could it be 

 safer; the huts will not fall, and there are no high rocks 

 near. Barometer 25*0. Temperature 68° 5'. Heavy cumuli 

 hanging about ; no rain afterwards. 



1th July. — Hamees started this morning with about 300 

 followers dressed in all their finery, and he declares that 

 his sole object is peace. Kasonso, Mombo, Chitimba send 

 their people, and go themselves to lend all their influence 

 in favour of peace. Syde stops here. Before starting Syde 

 put some incense on hot coals, and all the leaders of the 

 party joined in a short prayer; they seem earnest and 

 sincere in their incantations, according to their knowledge 

 and belief. I wished to go too, but Hamees objected, 

 as not being quite sure whether Nsama would be friendly, 

 and he would not like anything to befall me when with 

 him. 



8th July. — Kasonso found an excuse for not going him- 

 self. Two men, Arabs it was said, came to Chibue's and 

 were there killed, and Kasonso must go to see about it. 

 The people who go carry food with them, evidently not 

 intending to live by plunder this time. 



While the peacemakers are gone I am employing time in 

 reading Smith's ' Bible Dictionary,' and calculating different 

 positions which have stood over in travelling. I don't suc- 

 ceed well in the Baulungu dialect. 



The owners of huts lent to strangers have a great deal 

 of toil in consequence; they have to clean them after the 

 visitors have withdrawn ; then, in addition to this, to clean 

 themselves, all soiled by the dust left by the lodgers ; their 

 bodies and clothes have to be cleansed afterwards — they 

 add food too in all cases of acquaintanceship, and then we 

 have to remember the labour of preparing that food. My 

 remaining here enables me to observe that both men and 

 women are in almost constant employment. The men are 



