394 STOCKADE OF CHINSAMBA. Chap. XIY. 



able is the poison; for if the poisoned barb goes in nothing 

 can save the wounded. A bow is in use in the lower end 

 of Lake Nyassa, but is more common in the Maravi 

 country, from six to eight inches broad, which is intended 

 to be used as a shield as well as a bow ; but we never saw 

 one with the mark on it of an enemy's arrow. It certainly 

 is no match for the Zulu shield, which is between four and 

 five feet long, of an oval shape, and about two feet broad. 

 So great is the terror this shield inspires that we some- 



Maravi Bow. 



times doubted whether the Mazitu here were Zulus at all, 

 and suspected that the people of the country took ad- 

 vantage of that fear, and, assuming shields, pretended 

 to belong to that nation. 



On the 11th October we arrived at the stockade of 

 Chinsamba in Mosapo, and had reason to be very well 

 satisfied with his kindness. A paraffin candle was in his 

 eyes the height of luxury, and the ability to make a light 

 instantaneously by a lucifer match, a marvel that struck 

 him with wonder. He brought all his relatives in dif- 

 ferent groups to see the strange sights, — instantaneous 

 fire-making, and a light, without the annoyance of having 

 fire and smoke in the middle of the floor. When they 

 wish to look for anything in the dark, a wisp of dried 

 grass is lighted. 



Chinsamba gave us a great deal of his company during 

 our visits. As we have often remarked in other cases, 

 a chief has a great deal to attend to in guiding the affairs 

 of his people. He is consulted on all occasions, and gives 



