Chap. III. PARAMOUNT CHIEFS. 77 



flat-topped southern portion, the most prominent mountain 

 of the Zomba range is Njongone, which has a fine stream 

 running past its northern base. We were detained at the 

 end of the chain some days by one of our companions being- 

 laid up with fever. One night we were suddenly aroused 

 by buffaloes rushing close by the sick-bed. We were en- 

 camped by a wood on the border of a marsh, but our patient 

 soon recovered, notwithstanding the unfavourable situa- 

 tion, and the poor accommodation. 



The Manganja country is delightfully well watered. 

 The clear, cool, gushing streams are very numerous. Once 

 we passed seven fine brooks and a spring in a single hour, 

 and this, too, near the close of the dry season. Mount 

 Zomba, which is twenty miles long, and from 7000 to 8000 

 feet high, has a beautiful stream flowing through a verdant 

 valley on its summit, and running away down into Lake 

 Shirwa. The highlands are well wooded, and many trees, 

 admirable for their height and timber, grow on the various 

 watercourses. " Is this country good for cattle ? " we in- 

 quired of a Makololo herdsman, whose occupation had 

 given him skill in pasturage. " Truly," he replied, " do 

 you not see abundance of those grasses which the cattle 

 love, and get fat upon ? " Yet the people have but few 

 goats, and fewer sheep. With the exception of an occa- 

 sional leopard, there are no beasts of prey to disturb 

 domestic animals. Wool-sheep would, without doubt, 

 thrive on these highlands. Part of the Upper Shire 

 valley has a lady paramount, named Nyango ; and in her 

 dominions women rank higher and receive more respectful 

 treatment than their sisters on the hills. 



The hill chief, Mongazi, called his wife to take charge 

 of a present we had given him. She dropped down on 

 her knees, clapping her hands in reverence, before and 

 after receiving our presents from his lordly hands. It 

 was painful to see the abject manner in which the women 



