136 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
laden, and was down to the gunwale. Returning in- 
shore, we disembarked six men, and unloaded the bags 
of salt, which left us with sixteen rowers, Selim, Ferajji 
the cook, and the two Wajiji guides. 
H aving thus properly trimmed our boat we again 
pushed off, and steered her head for Bangwe Island, 
which was distant four or five miles from the Bunder of 
Ujiji. While passing this island the guides informed us 
that the Arabs and Wajiji took shelter on it during an 
incursion of the Watuta — which took place some years 
ago — when they came and invaded Ujiji, and massacred 
several of the inhabitants. Those who took refuge on 
the island were the only persons who escaped the fire 
and sword with which the Watuta had visited Ujiji. 
After passing the island and following the various 
bends and indentations of the shore, we came in sight 
of the magnificent bay of Kigoma, which strikes one at 
once as being an excellent harbour from the variable 
winds which blow over the Tanganika. About 10 a.m. 
we drew in towards the village of Kigoma, as the east 
wind was then rising, and threatened to drive us to sea. 
With these travelling parties who are not in much hurry 
Kigoma is always the first port for canoes bound north 
from Ujiji. The next morning at dawn we struck tent, 
stowed baggage, cooked, and drank coffee, and set off 
northward again. 
The lake was quite calm ; its waters, of a dark-green 
colour, reflected the serene blue sky above. The hippo- 
potami came up to breathe in alarmingly close proximity 
to our canoe, and then plunged their heads again, as if 
they were playing hide-and-seek with us. Arriving- 
opposite the high wooded hills of Bemba, and being a 
mile from shore, we thought it a good opportunity to 
sound the depth of the water, whose colour seemed to 
indicate great depth. We found thirty-five fathoms at 
this place. 
Our canoeing of this day was made close in-shore, 
with a range of hills, beautifully wooded and clothed 
with green grass, sloping abruptly, almost precipitously, 
into the depths of the fresh-water sea, towering inline- 
