1873.] MISLED AND BAFFLED. 267 



2§ih January. — Tried to observe lunars in vain ; clouded 

 over all, thick and muggy. Came on disappointed and along 

 the Lovu 1J mile. Crossed it by a felled tree lying over it. 

 It is about six feet deep, with 150 yards of sponge. Marched 

 about 2^ hours : very unsatisfactory progress. 



[In answer to a question as to whether Dr. Livingstone 

 could possibly manage to wade so much, Susi says that he 

 was carried across these sponges and the rivulets on the 

 shoulders of Chowpere or Chumah.] 



21st January. — Fundi lost himself yesterday, and we 

 looked out for him. He came at noon, having wandered in 

 iihe eager pursuit of two herds of eland ; having seen no 

 game for a long time, he lost himself in the eager hope of 

 getting one. We went on 2\ hours, and were brought up 

 'by the River Malalanzi, which is about 15 feet wide, waist 

 •deep, and has 300 yards or more of sponge. Guides refused 

 to come as Chitunkue, their headman, did not own them. 

 We started alone : a man came after us and tried to mislead 

 .us in vain. 



22nd January. — We pushed on through many deserted 

 gardens and villages, the man evidently sent to lead us 

 astray from our S.E. course ; he turned back when he saw 

 that we refused his artifice. Crossed another rivulet, possibly 

 the Lofu, now broad and deep, and then came to another of 

 several deep streams but sponge, not more than fifty feet in 

 all. Here we remained, having travelled in fine drizzling 

 rain all the morning. Population all gone from the war of 

 Chitoka with this Chitunkue. 



Xo astronomical observations worth naming; durinsr De- 

 eember and January; impossible to take any, owing to 

 clouds and rain. 



It is trying beyond measure to be baffled by the natives 

 lying and misleading us wherever they can. They fear us 



