260 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOUENALS. [Chap. X. 



elephant's path; and the roots of the papyrus, though a 

 carpet to these animals, were sharp and sore to feet usually- 

 protected by shoes, and often made us shrink and flounder 

 into holes chest deep. The Chisera forms a larger marsh 

 west of this, and it gives off its water to the Kalongosi, a 

 feeder of Lake Moero. 



The Arabs sent out men in all directions to purchase 

 ivory; but their victory over Nsama had created a panic 

 among the tribes which no verbal assurances could allay. 

 If Nsama had been routed by twenty Arab guns no one 

 could stand before them but Casembe; and Casembe had 

 issued strict orders to his people not to allow the Arabs 

 who fought Nsama to enter his country. They did not 

 attempt to force their way, but after sending friendly 

 messages and presents to different chiefs, when these were 

 not cordially received, turned off in some other direction, 

 and at last, despairing of more ivory, turned homewards. 

 From first to last they were extremely kind to me, and 

 showed all due respect to the Sultan's letter. I am glad 

 that I was witness to their mode of trading in ivory and 

 slaves. It formed a complete contrast to the atrocious 

 dealings of the Kilwa traders, who are supposed to be, but 

 are not, the subjects of the same Sultan. If one wished 

 to depict the slave-trade in its most attractive, or rather 

 least objectionable, form, he would accompany these gen- 

 tlemen subjects of the Sultan of Zanzibar. If he would 

 describe the land traffic in its most disgusting phases 

 he would follow the Kilwa traders along the road to 

 Nyassa, or the Portuguese half-castes from Tette to the 

 River Shire. 



Keeping to the north of Nsama altogether, and moving 

 westwards, our small party reached the north end of Moero 

 on the 8th November last. There the Lake is a goodly 

 piece of water twelve or more miles broad, and flanked on 

 the east and west by ranges of lofty tree-covered mountains. 



