386 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



At length, it became apparent that no other porters 

 were procurable at Kazeh, and that the restiff Baloch 

 and the sons of Ramji disdaining CaBsar's " ite," required 

 his " venite." I therefore resolved to lead them, instead 

 of expending time and trouble in driving them, trusting 

 that old habit, and that the difficulties attending their 

 remaining behind would induce them to follow me. 

 After much murmuring, my companion preceded me on 

 the 5th December, and " made a Khambi," at Zimbili, 

 a lumpy hill, with a north and south lay, and con- 

 spicuous as a landmark from the Arab settlements, 

 which are separated from it by a march of two hours. 

 On the third day I followed him, in truth, more dead 

 than alive, — the wing of Azrael seemed waving over my 

 head, — even the movement of the Manchila was almost 

 unendurable. I found cold and comfortless quarters in a 

 large village at the base of Zimbili, no cartel was procu- 

 rable, the roof leaked, and every night brought with it 

 a furious storm of lightning, wind, and rain. By slow 

 degrees, the Baloch began to drop in, a few of the 

 sons of Ramji, and the donkey -men followed, half-a- 

 dozen additional porters were engaged, and I was 

 recovering strength to advance once more, when the 

 report that our long-expected caravan was halted at 

 Rubuga, in consequence of desertion, rendered a 

 further delay necessary. My companion returned to 

 Kazeh, to await the arrival of the reserve-supplies, and 

 I proceeded onwards to collect a gang for the journey 

 westwards. 



At 10 a.m., on the 15th December, I mounted the 

 Manchila, carried by six slaves, hired by Snay bin 

 Amir, from Khamis bin Salim at the rate of three 

 pounds of white beads each, for the journey to Msene. 

 After my long imprisonment, I was charmed with the 



