Chap. VI. TOMBANYAMA. 155 



A fine eland was shot by Dr. Kirk this afternoon, the 

 first we have killed. It was in first-rate condition, and 

 remarkably fat; but the meat, though so tempting in 

 appearance, severely deranged all who partook of it 

 heartily, especially those who ate of the fat. Natives 

 who live in game countries, and are acquainted with the 

 different kinds of wild animals, have a prejudice against 

 the fat of the eland, the pallah, the zebra, hippopotamus, 

 and pig ; they never reject it, however, the climate making 

 the desire for all animal food very strong ; but they con- 

 sider that it causes ulcers and leprosy, while the fat of 

 sheep and of oxen never produces any bad effects, unless 

 the animal is diseased. 



On the morning of the 9th, after passing four villages, 

 we breakfasted at an old friend's, Tombanyama, who lives 

 now on the mainland, having resigned the reedy island, 

 where he was first seen, to the buffaloes, which used to 

 take his crops and show fight to his men. He keeps a 

 large flock of tame pigeons, and some fine fat capons, one 

 of which he gave us, with a basket of meal. They have 

 plenty of salt in this part of the country, obtaining it 

 from the plains in the usual way. 



The half-caste partner of Sequasha and a number of his 

 men were staying near. The fellow was very much 

 frightened when he saw us, and trembled so much when 

 he spoke, that the Makololo and other natives noticed 

 and remarked on it. His fears arose from a sense of 

 guilt, as we said nothing to frighten him, and did not 

 allude to the murder till a few minutes before starting ; 

 when it was remarked that Dr. Livingstone having been 

 accredited to the murdered chief, it would be his duty 

 to report on it ; and that not even the Portuguese Govern- 

 ment would approve of the deed. He defended it by 

 saying that they had put in the right man, the other was 

 a usurper. He was evidently greatly relieved when we 



