224 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



level step that bounded the Fiumara to the right. It 

 was a pretty spot in a barren scene, grassy, and grown 

 with green mimosas, spreading out their feathery heads 

 like parachutes, and shedding upon the ground a filmy 

 shade that fluttered and flickered in the draughty 

 breeze. 



The only losses experienced during the scrambling 

 descent, were a gun-case, containing nry companion's 

 store of boots, and a chair and table. The latter, being 

 indispensable on a journey where calculations, composi- 

 tion, and sketching were expected, I sent, during the 

 evening halts, a detachment consisting of Muinyi Wazira, 

 the Baloch, Greybeard Musa, and a party of slaves, to 

 bring up the articles, which had been cache'd on the 

 torrent bank. They returned with the horripilatory tale 

 of the dangers lately incurred by the Expedition, which 

 it appeared from them had been dogged by an army of 

 Wasagara, thirsting for blood and furious for booty : — 

 under such circumstances, how could they recover the 

 chair and table ? Some months afterwards an up-caravan 

 commanded by a Msawahili found the articles lying 

 where we had left them, and delivered them, for a consi- 

 deration, to us at Unyanyembe. The party sent from 

 Ugogo doubtless had passed a quiet, pleasant day, dozing 

 in the shade at the nearest well. 



