1873.] SENDS MEN TO MATIPA. 270 



raw cassava to offer. They are clothed in bark-cloth and skins. 

 Without canoes no movement can be made in any direction, 

 for it is water everywhere, water above and water below. 



20th February. — I sent a request to a friendly man to give 

 me men, and a large canoe to go myself to Matipa ; he says 

 that he will let me know to-day if he can. Heavy rain by 

 night and drizzling by day. No definite answer yet, but we 

 are getting food, and Matipa will soon hear of us as he did 

 when we came and returned back for food. I engaged 

 another man to send a canoe to Matipa, and I showed him 

 his payment, but retain it here till he comes back. 



21st February. — The men engaged refuse to go to Matipa's, 

 they have no honour. It is so wet we can do nothing. Another 

 man spoken to about going, says that they run the risk of 

 being killed by some hostile people on another island 

 between this and Matipa's. 



22nd February. — A wet morning. I was ill all yesterday, 

 but escape fever by haemorrhage. A heavy mantle of N.W. 

 clouds came floating over us daily. No astronomical ob- 

 servation can possibly be taken. I was never in such misty 

 cloudy weather in Africa. A man turned up at 9 a.m. to 

 carry our message to Matipa ; Susi and Chumah went with 

 him. The good Lord go with them, and lend me influence 

 and grant me help. 



23rd February, Sunday. — Service. Rainy. 



2MJi February. — Tried hard for a lunar, but the moon was 

 lost in the glare of the sun. 



25th February. — For a wonder it did not rain till 4 p.m. 

 The people bring food, but hold out for cloth, which is 

 inconvenient. 



Susi and Chumah not appearing may mean that the men 

 are preparing canoes and food to transport us. 



2Qth February. — Susi returned this morning with good news 

 from Matipa, who declares his willingness to carry us to Ka- 

 bende for the five bundles of brass wire I offered. It is not on 



