USAGOZI. 



405 



specify, prevented me from walking to any distance for 

 nearly a year ; the numbness of the hands and feet 

 disappeared even more slowly. The Fundi, however, 

 successfully predicted that I should be able to move in 

 ten days — on the tenth I again mounted my ass. 



This unforeseen misfortune detained the caravan 

 at Kajjanjeri till porters could be procured for the 

 hammock. On the 21st January four men were with 

 difficulty persuaded to carry me over the first march to 

 Usagozi. This gang was afterwards increased to six 

 men, who severally received six cloths for the journey 

 to Ujiji ; they all " bolted " eight days after their en- 

 gagement, and before completing half the journey. These 

 men were sturdier than the former set of llammals, 

 but being related to the Sultan of Usagozi, they were 

 even more boisterous, troublesome, and insolent. One 

 of them narrowly escaped a pistol bullet ; he ceased, 

 however, stabbing with his dagger at the slave Mabruki 

 before the extreme measure became necessary. 



Usagozi was of old the capital province of Unyamwezi, 

 and is still one of its principal and most civilised divi- 

 sions. Some authorities make Usagozi the western 

 frontier of Unyamwezi, others place the boundary at 

 Mukozimo, a few miles to the westward ; it is certain, 

 however, that beyond Usagozi the Wanyamwezi are 

 but part-proprietors of the soil. The country is laid 

 out in alternate seams of grassy plains, dense jungle, 

 and fertile field, The soil is a dark vegetable humus, 

 which bears luxuriant crops of grain, vegetables, and 

 tobacco ; honey -logs hang upon every large tree, cattle 

 are sold to travellers, and the people are deterred by the 

 aspect of a dozen discoloured skulls capping tall poles, 

 planted in a semicircle at the main entrance of each 



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