244 THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



and Margao, to fatten the inhospitable soil of Central 

 Africa. 



Immediately before departure, when almost in despair 

 at the rapid failure of our carriage — the asses were now 

 reduced to nine — I fortunately secured, for the sum of 

 four cloths per man, the services of fifteen Wanyamwezi 

 porters. In all a score, they had left at Ugogi their 

 Mtongi, or employer, in consequence of a quarrel con- 

 cerning the sex. They dreaded forcible seizure and sale 

 if found without protection travelling homewards 

 through Ugogo ; and thus they willingly agreed to carry 

 our goods as far as their own country, Unyanyembe. 

 Truly is travelling like campaigning, — a penny- 

 weight of luck is better than a talent of all the 

 talents ! And if marriages, as our fathers used to say, 

 are made in the heavens, the next-door manufactory 

 must be devoted to the fabrication of African explora- 

 tions. Notwithstanding, however, the large increase of 

 conveyance, every man appeared on the next march 

 more heavily laden than before: — they carried grain 

 for six days, and water for one night. 



From Ugogi to the Ziwa or Pond, the eastern limits 

 of Ugogo, are four marches, which, as they do not sup- 

 ply provisions, and as throughout the dry season water is 

 found only in one spot, are generally accomplished in 

 four days. The lesser desert, between Ugogi and Ugogo, 

 is called Marenga M'khali, or the Brackish Water : it 

 must not be confounded with the district of Usagara 

 bearing the same name. 



We left Ugogi on the 22nd September, at 3 p.m., in- 

 stead of at noon. As all the caravan hurried recklessly 

 forward, I brought up the rear accompanied by Said bin 

 Salim, the Jemadar, and several of the sons of Ramji, 

 who insisted upon driving the asses for greater speed at 



