1873.] A FIGHT. 327 



back, Muanyasere and Chuma set off after them to ascertain 

 the reason of the delay. No better success seemed to attend 

 this second venture, so shouldering their burdens, all went 

 forward in the track of the four messengers. 



In the mean time, Chuma and Muanyasere met Amoda 

 and Sabouri coming back towards them with five men. They 

 reported that they had entered the town, but found it a 

 very large stockaded place ; moreover, two other villages of 

 equal size were close to it. Much pombe drinking was 

 going on. On approaching the chief, Amoda had rested his 

 gun against the principal hut innocently enough. Chawende's 

 son, drunk and quarrelsome, made this a cause of offence, and 

 swaggering up, he insolently asked them how they dared to 

 do such a thing. Chawende interfered, and for the moment 

 prevented further disagreeables; in fact, he himself seems 

 to have been inclined to grant the favour which was 

 asked: however, there was danger brewing, and the men 

 retired. 



When the main body met them returning, tired with their 

 fruitless errand, a consultation took place. Wood there was 

 none. To scatter about and find materials with which to 

 build shelter for the night, would only offer a great tempta- 

 tion to these drunken excited people to plunder the baggage. 

 It was resolved to make for the town. 



When they reached the gate of the stockade they were 

 flatly refused admittance, those inside telling them to go 

 down to the river and camp on the bank. They replied 

 that this was impossible : that they were tired, it was very 

 late, and nothing could be found there to give them shelter. 

 Meeting with no different answer, Safene said, " Why stand 

 talking to them? let us get in somehow or other;" and, 

 suiting the action to the word, they pushed the men back 

 who stood in the gateway. Safene got through, and Mua- 

 nyasere climbed over the top of the stockade, followed by 

 <Chuma, who instantly opened the gate wide and let his 



