CAPE MACLEAR. 819 



stone to M'Pouda's, where he has now, I am sorry to say, got two wives, 

 though baptised as a Christian. M'Ponda was presented by us with a 

 coloured blanket and quilt, two or three shirts, some cloth, beads, and a gun. 

 He gave us liberty to settle on his land and sent Wakotani (his brother-in- 

 law) and another man to help us in choosing a spot. Two of our interpreters 

 were ashore all night, and it was evident the Arabs wished to checkmate us, 

 and had been telling stories, that we were come to take M'Ponda's land, etc. 

 These stories were partly, at least, counteracted by our boys, but still they 

 will be a great annoyance to us. Some eight or ten of these Arabs are making 

 a circuit round a large territory at present to procure slaves, and will carry 

 them across the lake in their dhows. As we left nest morning we showed 

 them a little what our steamer could do in the way of speed, and, with the 

 British ensign flying at her peak, she looked well indeed. Passing the north- 

 ern end of the village, which may contain say three thousand or four thou- 

 sand people, we saw two slaves standing with the yoke on their neck, and 

 their hands tied behind them. It was a sight which made my blood boil 

 within me. 



" On the eastern coast of Cape Maclear we examined several little bays 

 and apparent harbours, but none were quite satisfactory. Towards evening 

 we rounded the cape, a huge rocky hill, and anchored in a bay opposite the 

 western of the two islands you see on the map. In the evening we had a 

 walk ashore. There is a large plain some four miles long, and a valley run- 

 ning southwards between the hills, while we have a beautiful view of the 

 lake. Next five days, after having got wood we went round the western side 

 of the lake as far north as Benje Island, then across the lake, and reached 

 the east coast at a more northerly point than had been previously seen 

 by any white man ; then down its eastern side till opposite the lake, and 

 across to Cape Maclear. When we reached a point on the east coast nearly 

 opposite where it is, we passed the sites where three large villages formerly 

 stood, and another where the Arabs at one time had a settlement, and where 

 Mr. Young saw several large sheds full of slaves when he was here last 

 time. They and the inhabitants of the next village had been driven out by 

 war. 



"We are in a commanding position to begin with, because, with our 

 steamer at hand, we occupy the centre of a circle of some thirty to forty 

 miles radius, with six or eight large villages from which we can obtain sup- 

 plies, and to whom I hope we shall yet be able to communicate the blessings 

 of the Gospel of Peace. I suppose I shall have to learn two languages here, 

 as both Menganja and Ajawa are spoken within range of our steamer; but I 

 should like to know more of the coast and its people before I can say which 

 is of most importance." 



On the 24th of October, Mr. Young wrote two letters home — one to the 



