Chap. VIII. sinamane's canoes. 219 



gravel and shingle, how formed we cannot imagine, unless 

 in pot-holes in the deep fissure above. The bottom above 

 the Falls, save a few rocks close by them, is generally 

 sandy or of soft tufa. Every damp spot is covered with 

 maize, pumpkins, water-melons, tobacco, and hemp. There 

 is a pretty numerous Batoka population on both sides of 

 the river. As we sailed slowly down, the people saluted 

 us from the banks, by clapping their hands. A headman 

 even hailed us, and brought a generous present of corn and 

 pumpkins. 



Moemba owns a rich island, called Mosanga, a mile in 

 length, on which his village stands. He has the reputa- 

 tion of being a brave warrior, and is certainly a great 

 talker; but he gave us strangers something better than 

 a stream of words. We received a handsome present of 

 corn, and the fattest goat we had ever seen ; it resembled 

 mutton. His people were as liberal as their chief. They 

 brought two large baskets of corn, and a lot of tobacco, as 

 a sort of general contribution to the travellers. One of 

 Sinamane's canoe-men, after trying to get his pay, deserted 

 here, and went back before the stipulated time, with the 

 story, that the Englishman had stolen the canoes. Shortly 

 after sunrise next morning, Sinamane came into the village 

 with fifty of his "long spears," evidently determined to 

 retake his property by force ; he saw at a glance that his 

 man had deceived him. Moemba rallied him for coming 

 on a wildgoose chase. " Here are your canoes left with 

 me, your men have all been paid, and the Englishmen are 

 now asking me to sell my canoes." Sinamane said little 

 to us ; only observing that he had been deceived by his 

 follower. A single remark of his chiefs caused the foolish 

 fellow to leave suddenly, evidently much frightened and 

 crestfallen. Sinamane had been very kind to us, and, as 

 he was looking on when we gave our present to Moemba, 

 we made him also an additional offering of some beads, 



