280 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. XL 



Chirube, but amid the swamps of the mainland on the Lake's 

 north side. Immense swampy plains all around except at 

 Kabende. Matipa is at variance with his brothers on the 

 subject of the lordship of the lands and the produce of the 

 elephants, which are very numerous. I am devoutly thankful 

 to the Giver of all for favouring me so far, and hope that 

 He may continue His kind aid. 



No mosquitoes here, though Speke, at the Victoria Nyanza, 

 said they covered the bushes and grass in myriads, and 

 struck against the hands and face most disagreeably. 



21th February. — Waiting for other canoes to be sent by 

 Matipa. His men say that there is but one large river on the 

 south of Lake Bangweolo, and called Lubmba. They know 

 the mountains on the south-east as I do, and on the west, 

 but say they don't know any on the middle of the water- 

 shed. They plead their youth as an excuse for knowing so 

 little. 



Matipa's men proposed to take half our men, but I refused 

 to divide our force ; they say that Matipa is truthful. 



28th February. — No night rain after 8 p.m., for a wonder. 

 Baker had 1500 men in health on 15th June, 1870, at lat. 

 9° 26' N., and 160 on sick list; many dead. Liberated 

 305 slaves. His fleet was thirty-two vessels ; wife and he well. 

 I wish that I met him. Matipa's men not having come, it is 

 said they are employed bringing the carcase of an elephant 

 to him. I propose to go near to him to-morrow, some in 

 canoes and some on foot. The good Lord help me. New 

 moon this evening. 



1st March, 1873. — Embarked women and goods in canoes, 

 and went three hours S.E. to Bangweolo. Stopped on an 

 island where people were drying fish over fires. Heavy rain 

 wetted us all as we came near the islet, the drops were as 

 large as half-crowns by the marks they made. We went over 

 flooded prairie four feet deep, and covered with rushes, and 

 two varieties of lotus or sacred lily; both are eaten, and 



