FOUNDING THE PROTECTORATE 
99 
ill-feeling between Chikumbu and the British was of some years’ duration. 
Chikumbu was a Yao who had settled amongst the peaceful Nyanja people 
of Mlanje, whom he had been gradually subjugating until in 1890 they 
appealed to Mr. John Buchanan for protection. The old Nyanja chief, 
Chipoka, had died in 1890, and on his death-bed had, with the consent of 
all his sub-chiefs and subjects, transferred the sovereign rights of his country 
to the Queen, in order to pledge the British Government to the protection of 
the indigenous Nyanja people against Yao attacks. Two or three planters 
had just begun to settle in the Mlanje district, and although they had paid 
H.M.S. “MOSQUITO,” A ZAMBEZI GUNBOAT 
relatively large sums to Chikumbu he continued to extort larger and larger 
payments from them ; and at last, upon their refusing to give any more, 
committed various acts of violence, and stopped the natives working for them. 
Chikumbu was a very great slave trader and kept up a direcct communication 
with the East Coast of Africa at Angoche, whither his caravans of slaves 
were generally forwarded. He was allied with Matipwiri and other Yao 
slave-trading chiefs. 
Accordingly Captain Maguire was dispatched two days after our reaching 
Chiromo, with a force of Sikhs to bring Chikumbu to reason. The campaign 
was not of long duration, though there were one or two days of stiff fighting. 
Chikumbu fled and his brother was taken prisoner. The latter was eventually 
released and appointed chief in Chikumbu’s stead, upon his giving promises 
of good behaviour which have since been kept. After a considerable banish¬ 
ment Chikumbu was recently allowed to return, and lives now as a private 
individual. 
