248 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
The principal canoe builders and the greater number of 
the sailors of Mtesa’s empire dwell in Sesse, and because 
of their coal-black colour, timidity, superstition, and 
general uncleanly life, are regarded as the helots of 
Uganda. 
On the 21st we made a tedious, eventless voyage 
along the low, swampy, and jungly shores of Ujaju to 
Dumo, a village situated on the mainland nearly opposite 
the extreme southern end of Sesse Island. From a 
curious stony hill near Dumo, which bears traces of 
ancient effects of water, we obtained a distant view of 
the outskirts of a pastoral plateau rising westward. 
Magassa appeared in the evening from his unsuccess- 
ful quest for canoes. He gave a graphic account of the 
dangers he had encountered at Sesse, whose inhabitants 
declared they would rather be beheaded by the Kabalca 
than risk themselves on an endless voyage on the stormy 
sea, but he had obtained a promise from Magura, the 
admiral in charge of the naval yards at Sesse, that he 
would endeavour to despatch fourteen canoes after us. 
Meanwhile, Magassa had left me at Chiwanuko with five 
canoes, but returned with only two, alleging that the 
other three leaked so much that they were not sea- 
worthy. He suggested also that, as Magura might 
cause great delay if left alone, I should proceed with 
Sentum and Sentageya, and leave him in charge of five. 
Having witnessed his vanity and heard of his atrocious 
conduct near Chiwanuko, I strongly suspected him of 
desiring to effect some more mischief at Dumo, but I 
was powerless to interpose the strong arm, and therefore 
left him to answer for his shortcomings to Mtesa, who 
would doubtless hear of them before long. 
After leaving Dumo and Sesse north of us, we had a 
boundless horizon of water on the east, while on the 
west stretched a crescent-shaped bay, bordered by a 
dense forest, ending south at Chawasimba Point. From 
here another broad bay extends southwards, and is ter- 
minated by the northernmost headland of Uzongora. 
Into this bay issues the Alexandra Nile in one powerful 
deep stream, which, from its volume and dark iron 
