1867.] DESCRIPTIVE RESUME. 257 



make nie a prisoner there, which they could easily have 

 <lone by removing the canoes ; but when the villagers who 

 deceived the Arabs told me afterwards with an air of 

 triumph how nicely they had managed, I saw that they had 

 only been anxious for my safety. On three occasions the 

 same friendly disposition was shown; and when we went 

 round the west side of the Lake in order to examine the arm 

 or branch above referred to, the headman at the confluence 

 of the Lofu protested so strongly against my going — the 

 Arabs had been fighting, and I might be mistaken for an 

 Arab, and killed — that I felt half-inclined to believe him. 

 Two Arab slaves entered the village the same afternoon in 

 search of ivory, and confirmed all he had said. We now 

 altered our course, intending to go south about the district 

 disturbed by the Arabs. When we had gone 60 miles we 

 heard that the head-quarters of the Arabs were 22 miles 

 further. They had found ivory very cheap, and pushed on 

 to the west, till attacked by a chief named Nsama, whom 

 they beat in his own stockade. They were now at a loss 

 which way to turn. On reaching Chitimba's village 

 <lat. 8° 57' 55" S. ; long. 30° 20' E.), I found them about 

 600 in all; and, on presenting a letter I had from the 

 Sultan of Zanzibar, was immediately supplied with pro- 

 visions, beads, and cloth. They approved of my plan of 

 jmssing to the south of Nsama's country, but advised 

 waiting till the effects of punishment, which the Baulimgu 

 had resolved to inflict on Nsama for breach of public law, 

 were known. It had always been understood that whoever 

 brought goods into the country was to be protected ; and 

 two hours after my arrival at Chitimba's, the son of Kasonso, 

 our guide, marched in with his contingent. It was anti- 

 cipated that Nsama might flee ; if to the north, he would 

 leave me a free passage through his country; if to the 

 south, I might be saved from walking into his hands. But 

 it turned out that Nsama was anxious for peace. He had 

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