1 68 Seven Years in Central Africa. [Jan. 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. 
January 2^th. — Started this morning early with two of my men 
to look for game ; had gone but a short way when I saw that, up a 
valley, some animals were moving about in the long grass. Taking 
a round through the bush with one of my men I got up, by dint 
of careful stalking, close to the animals, when, to my surprise, I 
found myself in front of five full-grown leopards. I refrained 
from shooting, as their flesh could not have been of use, and 
I have no license to fight with wild animals. Four of the 
leopards cantered off at first sight of me ; the old one remained, 
and seemed as if he would attack me, swinging his tail about 
and crouching. I kept my ground calmly, about twenty yards 
from him, with my rifle cocked. As soon, however, as he saw 
his four relatives off at a safe distance, he trotted slowly after 
them, then broke into a canter. Got into camp, late and tired. 
Kasoma's wife is riding on my ox to-day; it is the ambulance 
animal of the company. 
THE LUALABA RIVER. 
January 2^th. — Crossing a hill this morning we came in full 
sight of the valley of the Lualaba — a beautiful view indeed. 
An hour's journey along the bank of the river brought us 
to the ferry. We were all taken over without delay, and at length 
I set foot on Garenganze soil. Mangala, the chief of the ferry 
(who is here in place of Kasembe), received me well, cooking 
some food for me, and showing real hospitality. 
The appearance of this man, and of his village, favourably 
impress me in view of future stay in this country. 
3o/>^. — Rested to-day. A hunter brought in the meat of a 
buflalo, so we have food enough. A relative of Msidi sent a 
large basket of beans, and having also bought some onions, 
I managed with the help of Dick to prepare quite a sumptuous 
feast. 
DEATH OF kasoma's WIFE. 
This afternoon we were saddened by the death of Kasoma's 
wife. News has also come in, of the killing of Kasembe, of 
Lake Moero (bearing the same name as the one just mentioned 
in connection with the Lualaba ferry), a chief who has long been 
