Chap. XXXU, 
WAR-DKUM AT SHIRAMBA. 
657 
in a small flat-bottomed steamer during the whole year as far as 
Tete. At this time^ a steamer of large size could have floated 
easily. The river was measured at the latter place by the 
Portuguese, and found by them to be 1050 yards broad. The 
body of water flowing past when I was there was very great, and 
the breadth it occupied when amongst the islands, had a most 
imposing effect. I could not get a glimpse of either shore. All 
the right bank beyond Lupata is low and flat: on the north, the 
ranges of hiUs and dark lines below them are seen, but from the 
boat it is impossible to see the shore. I only guess the breadth 
of the river to be two miles, it is probably more. Next day we 
landed at Slnramba for breakfast, having sailed hours from 
Lupata. This was once the residence of a Portuguese brigadier, 
who spent large sums of money in embeUisliing liis house and 
gardens: these we found in entire ruin, as his haff-caste son had 
destroyed all and then rebelled against the Portuguese, but with 
less success than either Nyaude or Kisaka, for he had been seized 
and sent a prisoner to Mozambique a short time before our visit. 
All the southern shore has been ravaged by the Caffres, who are 
here named Landeens, and most of the inhabitants who remain, 
acknowledge the authority of Bonga and not of the Portuguese. 
When at breakfast, the people of Sliiramba commenced beating 
the drum of war. Lieutenant Miranda, who was weU acquainted 
with the customs of the country, ’ immediately started to liis feet, 
and got aU the soldiers of our party under arms: he then 
demanded of the natives why the drum was beaten w hil e we were 
there. They gave an evasive reply; and as they employ this 
means of collecting their neighbours when they intend to rob 
canoes, our watclffulness may have prevented their proceeding 
further. 
We spent the night of the 26th on the island called Nkuesi, 
opposite a remarkable saddle-shaped mountain, and found that 
we were just on the 17th parallel of latitude. The sad down the 
river was very fine ; the temperature becoming low, it was pleasant 
to the feelings; but the shores being flat and far from us, the 
scenery was uninteresting. We breakfasted on the 27th at Pita, 
and found some half-caste Portuguese had established themselves 
there, after fleeing from the opposite bank to escape Kisaka’s 
people, who were now ravaging all the Maganja country. On the 
2 u 
