274 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. XL 



water is low. It is impossible to describe the amount of 

 water near the Lake. Rivulets without number. They are 

 so deep as to damp all ardour. I passed a very large 

 striped spider in going to visit Chitunkubwe. The stripes 

 were of yellowish green, and it had two most formidable 

 reddish mandibles, the same shape as those of the red- 

 headed white ant. It seemed to be eating a kind of ant 

 with a light-coloured head, not seen elsewhere. A man 

 killed it, and all the natives said that it was most 

 dangerous. We passed gardens of dura ; leaves all split up 

 with hail, and forest leaves all punctured. 



6th February. — Chitunkubwe gave a small goat and a 

 large basket of flour as a return present. I gave him three- 

 quarters of a pound of powder, in addition to the cloth. 



7th February. — This chief showed his leanings by demand- 

 ing prepayment for his guides. This being a preparatory 

 step to their desertion I resisted, and sent men to demand 

 what he meant by his words ; he denied all, and said that his 

 people lied, not he. We take this for what it is worth. He 

 gives two guides to-morrow morning, and visits us this 

 afternoon. 



8th February. — The chief dawdles, although he promised 

 great things yesterday. He places the blame on his people, 

 who did not prepare food on account of the rain. Time is of 

 no value to them. We have to remain over to-day. It is most 

 trying to have to wait on frivolous pretences. I have en- 

 dured such vexatious delays. The guides came at last with 

 quantities of food, which they intend to bargain with my 

 people on the way. A Nassicker who carried my saddle 

 was found asleep near my camp. 



9th February. — Slept in a most unwholesome, ruined 

 village. Eank vegetation had run over all, and the soil 

 smelled offensively. Crossed a sponge, then a rivulet, and 

 sponge running into the Miwale Eiver, then by a rocky 

 passage we crossed the Mofiri, or great Tinga-tinga, a water 



