160 



CHOGWE. 



Tongwe with 25 Baloch. About this time, also, 

 King Kimwere, with cheap generosity, had offered 

 to Dr Krapf by way of mission- station a choice 

 of Tongwe, of Pambire, or of Meringa, a lofty peak 

 in the continuous range to the N. West. A 

 certain French admiral declared that he would 

 occupy these places where the ' Imam ' had little 

 authority ; ' if they do, I'll burn the country 

 faster than they can travel,' was the Arab's reply. 

 M. Guillain next strove hard to prove that none 

 of the Bu Saidi ever included even Makdishu in 

 their dominions. 



Chogwe is situated upon an eminence gently 

 rising from the grassy plain of black alluvial soil 

 which is flooded during the rains. It is seven 

 direct miles distant from Panga-ni town, bearing 

 west 288°; the walk over a rugged path occupies 

 four or five hours, yet few men but slaves availed 

 themselves of the short cut. The position is badly 

 chosen, water is distant, the rugged soil produces 

 nothing but stunted manioc, and when the inun- 

 dation subsides in the lowlands it is exposed to 

 miasma, whilst the frequent creeks must be 

 crossed upon tree trunks acting bridges. The 

 garrison at such times suffers severely from sick- 

 ness, especially from fever and diarrhoea, and the 

 men, dull as a whaler's crew lorn of luck, abhor 



