Chap. XXVIII. MBUEUMA’S VILLAGE AND PEOPLE. 
581 
We explained the reason of our delay, and he told us that we were 
looked upon with alarm. He said that Siriatoniba had been killed 
near the village of Selole, and hence that man’s fears. He added 
that the Itahan had come talking of peace, as we did, but had 
kidnapped cliildren and bought ivory with them, and that we were 
supposed to be following the same calling. I pointed to my men, 
and asked if any of these were slaves, and if we had any children 
among them, and I think we satisfied Inm that we were true men. 
Eeferring to our iU success in hunting the day before, he said, ‘‘ The 
man at whose village you remained was in fault in allowing you 
to want meat, for had he only run across to Mbumma he would 
have given him a little meal, and, having sprinkled that on the 
ground as an offering to the gods, you would have found your 
elephant.” The cliiefs in these parts take upon themselves an 
office somewhat like the priesthood, and the people imagine that 
they can propitiate the Deity tln^ough them. In illustration of 
their ideas, it may be mentioned that, when we were among the 
tribes west of Semalembue, several of the people came forward 
and introduced themselves—-one as a hunter of elephants, another 
as a hunter of liippopotami, a third as a digger of pitfalls—appa¬ 
rently wishing me to give them medicine for success in their avo¬ 
cations, as well as to cure the diseases of those to whom I was 
admuustering the drugs. I thought they attributed supernatural 
power to them, for, like all Africans, they have unbounded faith 
in the efficacy of charms; but I took pains to let them know that 
they must pray and trust to another power than mine for aid. 
We never saw Mburuma himself, and the conduct of his people 
mdicated very strong suspicions, though he gave us presents of 
meal, maize, and native corn. His people never came near us, 
except in large boches and fully armed. We had to order them 
to place their bows, arrows, and spears at a distance before entering 
our encampment. We did not, however, care much for a little 
trouble now, as we hoped that, if we could pass this time without 
much molestation, we might yet be able to return with ease, and 
without meeting sour, suspicious looks. 
The sod, glancing everywhere with mica, is very fertile, and 
ad the valleys are cultivated, the maize being now in ear and 
eatable. Kanges of lulls, which line both banks of the river 
above tliis, now come close up to each bank, and form a narrow 
