174 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
seaboard, the Wasania a strip of country running be- 
hind the Wasuahili, and the Gallas all the country 
beyond. 
The walk through the wood occupied us a full hour, 
when we emerged upon a very pretty piece of country, 
carpeted with short-nibbled grass, green as emerald, 
and sparsely covered with the " makorpa," or fan-palm. 
In a short time we were in sight of a new settlement. 
We had heard of this place, but we were surprised to 
find it so large a village, for when we passed this way 
six months before there was not a hut to be seen, the 
whole district being in possession of wild animals. 
However, that these had not disappeared even yet, 
the shortness of the herbage testified ; for we soon 
heard that cattle had not yet been introduced. The 
village is called Muando Mpia (new village). 
Some of the chief men of the place came out to 
meet us, respectfully presenting their salaams. We 
found the houses, or huts, more numerous than we could 
have expected, and the whole place was surrounded 
by a boma (stockade) of poles and thorns, intended 
as a protection against both wild beasts and the still 
wilder Gallas. There was a population of perhaps 
600 or 700 souls. The brother of the headman being 
in charge, led us to his own house, and gave us 
the choice of occupying it or one directly opposite it. 
We chose his, and he removed his people and traps 
at once. This was kind, and showed his good breed- 
ing, and I may add, his good sense. We spent the 
evening in making preparations for an early morning's 
march. Guns were cleaned, and everything put in 
order to prevent delay. 
On Wednesday, 2nd, we awoke an hour and a half 
