400 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
warfare. Their contortions were extraordinary. Leaping 
into the air they would kick their shields while their feet 
were off the ground, and when they alighted they would 
wholly disappear amidst the high grass. 
During my sojourn in Angoni-land, slavery was in 
full swing, but in Chikuse’s town there were very few 
slaves ready for transportation. Probably this was due 
to the fact that it was the time of the king’s raid into 
the Shire valley. Literally on every hand evidences of 
the slave trade could be seen, but in this instance I refer 
to the export, or rather the east coast trade, the home 
traffic being of quite a different character. 
The latter branch of the business was exceedingly 
lively. A caravan of three hundred and fifty, all told, 
left a town a short distance to the north of Chikuse’s, 
and preparations were being made when I left for the 
dispatch of another. 
Every village shows the familiar sight of the slave in 
the yoke. After purchase the poor things are taken to 
the headquarters of the east coast traders— nazaras, as 
the people call the Zanzibar agents—some of whom are 
constantly in this district. Two I can mention by 
name, Xuala and Saide. 
At the agents the yoke is made secure, and it is not 
exaggeration to say that it is often allowed to remain 
upon a slave for nine months or a year, night and day, 
without being once taken off'. Constant rubbing by the 
yoke upon the neck chafes the skin, and gradually ugly 
wounds begin to fester under the burning sunshine. 
Slaves, however, are to some extent looked after with 
a view to prevent serious bodily injury, the appearance 
of which would certainly depreciate their marketable 
value. 
Until all is ready for a start the miserable slave sits 
waiting with all the compulsory and hopeless patience of 
bondage. Day after day he sees the sun rise and set. 
The dreary days pass by and are numbered into weeks 
and months, and still the victim is bound by the yoke 
about his neck. 
In his mind, perhaps, he conjures up a picture of the 
