370 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
miles from the Ivapata — which lay north, we turned 
westward between Ntondwe Island and the mainland, 
and then passing by Murikwa Island, we reached, in 
two hours, the southern termination of the western shore 
of the Tanganika, whence may be seen the Wezi river 
tumbling down from the plateau of Urungu. 
The village of Mwangala, where we camped, was at 
first hidden from our view by a dense line of water- 
cane, which sheltered its small fishing-canoes from the 
storms of the lake. One glance at the village fence in- 
formed us that here also was evidence that the lake was 
rising. We asked the natives if they did not think the 
water was gaining on them. 
“ Can you not see ? ” said they. “ Another rain and 
we shall have to break away from here and build anew.” 
“ Where does the water of the lake go to ? ” 
“ It goes north, then it seems to come back upon us 
stronger than ever.” 
O ^ 
“ But is there no river about here that goes towards 
the west ? ” 
“ We never heard of any.” 
That part of the western coast which extends from 
Mbete or Mombete, to the south, as far as the Rufuvu 
river, is sacred ground in the lore of the ancients of 
Urungu. Each crag and grove, each awful mountain 
brow and echoing gorge, has its solemn associations of 
spirits. Vague and indescribable beings, engendered by 
fear and intense superstition, govern the scene. Any 
accident that may befall, any untoward event or tragedy 
that may occur, before the sanctuaries of these unreal 
powers, is carefully treasured in the memories of the 
people with increased awe and dread of the Spirits of 
the Rocks. 
Such associations cling to the strange tabular mounts 
or natural towers, called Mtombwa. The height of these 
is about 1200 feet above the lake. They once formed 
parts of the plateau of Urungu, though now separated 
from it by the same agency which created the fathom- 
less gulf of the Tanganika. 
Within a distance of two miles are three separate 
