A FIGHT ANTICIPATED. 553 



it appears to be two cones joined together, the northern 

 one being a little lower than the southern. Another 

 high hill stands on the same side to the N.E., and, from 

 its similarity in shape to an axe on the top, is called 

 Motemwa. Beyond it, eastward, lies the country of 

 Kaimbwa, a chief who has been engaged in actual conflict 

 with the Bazunga, and beat them too, according to the 

 version of things here. The hills on the south bank are 

 named Kamoenja. When we came to Mpende's village, 

 he immediately sent to inquire who we were, and then 

 ordered the guides who had come with us from the last 

 village to go back and call their masters. He sent no 

 message to us whatever. We had travelled very slowly 

 up to this point, the tsetse-stricken oxen being now unable 

 to go two miles an hour. We were also delayed by being 

 obliged to stop at every village, and send notice of our 

 approach to the head-man, who came and received a 

 little information, and gave some food. If we had passed 

 on without taking any notice of them, they would have 

 considered it impolite, and we should have appeared 

 more as enemies than friends. I consoled myself for the 

 loss of time by the thought that these conversations 

 tended to the opening of our future path. 



23rd. — This morning, at sunrise, a party of Mpende's 

 people came close to our encampment, uttering strange 

 cries and waving some bright red substance towards us. 

 They then lighted a fire with charms in it, and departed, 

 uttering the same hideous screams as before. This was 

 intended to render us powerless, and probably also to 

 frighten us. Ever since dawn, parties of armed men 

 have been seen collecting from all quarters, and numbers 

 passed us while it was yet dark. Had we moved down 

 the river at once, it would have been considered an 

 indication of fear or defiance, and so would a retreat. I 

 therefore resolved to wait, trusting in Him who has the 

 hearts of all men in His hands. They evidently intended 

 to attack us, for no friendly message was sent ; and when 

 three of the Batoka the night before entered the village 

 to beg food, a man went round about each of them, 

 making a noise like a lion. The villagers then called upon 

 them to do homage, and, when they complied, the chief 

 ordered some chaff to be given them, as if it had been food. 

 Other things also showed unmistakeable hostility. As 

 we were now pretty certain of a skirmish, I ordered an 



