Chap. X. MARAUDING AJAWA. 279 



lands and lowlands; but, from many very old white-headed 

 blacks having been seen on the highlands, we think it 

 probable that even native races are longer lived the higher 

 their dwelling-places are. 



We landed below at Mikena's and took observations for 

 longitude, to verify those taken two years before. The 

 village was deserted, Mikena and his people having fled 

 to the other side of the river. A few had come across 

 this morning to work in their old gardens. After com- 

 pleting the observations we had breakfast ; and, as the 

 last of the things were being carried into the boat, a Man- 

 ganja man came running down to his canoe, crying out, 

 " The Ajawa have just killed my comrade ! " We shoved 

 off, and in two minutes the advanced guard of a large 

 marauding party were standing with their muskets on 

 the spot where we had taken breakfast. They were evi- 

 dently surprised at seeing us there, and halted; as did also 

 the main body of perhaps a thousand men. " Kill them," 

 cried the Manganja ; "they are going up to the hills to kill 

 the English," meaning the missionaries we had left at 

 Magomero. But having no prospect of friendly communi- 

 cation with them, nor confidence in Manganja's testimony, 

 we proceeded down the river ; leaving the Ajawa sitting 

 under a large baobab, and the Manganja cursing them 

 most energetically across the river. 



On our way up, we had seen that the people of Zimika 

 had taken refuge on a long island in the Shire, where they 

 had placed stores of grain to prevent it falling into the 

 hands of the Ajawa; supposing afterwards that the in- 

 vasion and war were past, they had removed back again 

 to the mainland on the east, and were living in fancied 

 security. On approaching the chiefs village, which was 

 built in the midst of a beautiful grove of lofty wild-fig 

 and palm trees, sounds of revelry fell upon our ears. The 

 people were having a merry time — drumming, dancing. 



