KIZUNGU. 



237 



sional glimpse through its wall of verdure showed 

 a rufous surface flecked with white foam. Mass- 

 ive nimbi purpled the western skies, and we 

 began to inquire somewhat anxiously of A^'azira if 

 any settlement was at hand. 



About sunset, after marching 15 miles, we 

 suddenly saw tall cocoas, the ' Travellers' Joy ' 

 in these lands, wavino; their f eatherv crests as^ainst 

 the blue eastern firmament. The tree inhabits 

 chiefly the coralline lowlands along the coast, 

 but upon the line of the Panga-ni it bears fruit at 

 least 30 miles from the sea, and whenever it is 

 found distant from the stream the natives deter- 

 mine water to be near. Presentlv crossinsr an arm 

 of the river bv a Ions: wooden brido:e made 

 ricketv for readv defence, we entered with a 

 flock of homeward-bound goats, Eazungu,^ an 

 island- settlement of Wazegura. The Headmen 

 assembled to receive us with some ceremonv, 

 cleared a hut of its inmates, placed cartels upon 

 the ground outside, and seated us ringed round by 

 a noisy crowd for the usual palaver. 



This village being upon the frontier and ex- 

 cited by wars and rumours of wars, had a bad 



* It is mentioned by Dr Krapf as ever having been occu- 

 pied by the Portuguese. Mr Cooley (Inner Africa, etc., p. 31) 

 modestly writes.' Kisungo, more probably Kisonga.' 



