Chap. XVII. 
QUEXDENDE’S POLITENESS. 
315 
Katema, by piircliasing cattle and receiving in a kind manner 
all the fugitives who came to him, had secured the birthright to 
himself, so far as influence in the country is concerned. Soana’s 
first address to us did not savour much of African wisdom. 
Friday, l^th .—On leaving Mozinkwa’s hospitable mansion we 
crossed another stream, about forty yards wide, in canoes. While 
this tedious process was going on, I was informed that it is called 
the Mona-Kalueje, or brother of Kalueje, as it flows into that 
river; that both the Kalueje and Livda flow into the Leeba; 
and that the Chifumadze, swollen by the Lotembwa, is a feeder 
of that river also, below the point where we lately crossed it. It 
may be remarked here, that these rivers were now in flood, and 
that the water was all perfectly clear. The vegetation on the 
banks is so thickly planted, that the surface of the earth is not 
abraded by the torrents. The grass is laid flat, and forms a pro¬ 
tection to the banks, which are generally a stiff black loam. 
The fact of canoes being upon them shows that, though not 
large, they are not like the southern rivulets, which dry up 
during most of the year, and render canoes unnecessary. 
As we were crossing the river, we were joined by a messenger 
from Katema, called Shakatwala. This person was a sort of 
steward or factotum to his cliief. Every chief has one attached 
to his person, and, though generally poor, they are invariably 
men of great shrewdness and ability. They act the part of mes¬ 
sengers on all important occasions, and possess considerable 
authority in the chief’s household. Shakat^vala informed us that 
Katema had not received precise information about us, but if we 
were peaceably disposed, as he loved strangers, we were to come 
to his town. We proceeded forthwith, but were turned aside, by 
the strategy of our friend Intemese, to the village of Quendende, 
the father-in-law of Katema. This fine old man was so very 
polite, that we did not regret being obliged to spend Sunday at 
his village. He expressed his pleasure at having a share in the 
honour of a visit as well as Katema; though it seemed to me 
that the conferring that pleasure, required something like a 
pretty good stock of impudence, in leading twenty-seven men 
through the country, without the means of purchasing food. My 
men did a little business for themselves in the begging Kne; 
they generally commenced every interview with new viljagers 
