512 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLOBATION. 
old Antonio, the very man I liad recommended to Lobossi 
as the chief and guide of the deputation he was to have 
sent to Benguella. This done, I reviewed my forces, and 
found that they amounted to fifty-eight men. 
On the day after this event Lobossi called to see me, 
and made urgent demands for things which I did not 
possess, and which he had apparently set his mind upon 
having. He was becoming constantly more and more 
importunate. He was just like a child, but a very trouble¬ 
some and impertinent one. It required a vast stock of 
patience to bear with him and his wants, and mine was 
nearly at an end. At night he sent for me to visit him. 
I went, of course, when he told me that my journey to 
the Chuculumbe was impossible, but that he would furnish 
me with guides and some people to proceed southwards 
as far as the Zumbo. He further said that the report 
concerning the Matebelis was without foundation; that 
there was peace on that side, and that he could easily 
terminate matters with Manuanino. He then complained 
most bitterly of the few things I gave him, and said, if 
I had nothing else left, I ought to let him have all my 
arms and powder, with the greater reason, as if I went to 
the Zumbo with his people, I should be under their pro¬ 
tection, and not need to be accompanied by so many 
armed men of my own. I offered him the arms of the 
Bihenos who had left me that day, and whose weapons I 
had been careful to secure, and seven barrels of powder ; 
but I formally refused to give up a single gun which 
belonged to the men who remained or to my immediate 
followers. I then retired, not too well satisfied with the 
interview. 
On the 1st of September I rose feeling very ill, and after 
making my morning observations, I turned in, again to 
try and get a little sleep, when Yerissimo, in an alarmed 
state, entered my hut, and told me that Lobossi had 
called all my people about him, and informed them that 
I had come there for the express purpose of joining the 
Muzungos who were on the Cafucue with Manuanino, 
and making war upon him. That this was proved by my 
persistence in wishing to go to the Chuculumbe. That 
