Entangled amongst the marshes of Bangweolo.  Great privations.  Obliged to return to Chitunkue’s.  At the chief’s mercy.  Agreeably surprised with the chief.  Start once more.  Very difficult march.  Robbery exposed.  Fresh attack of illness.  Sends scouts out to find villages.  Message to Chirubwe.  An ant raid.  Awaits news from Matipa.  Distressing perplexity.  The Bougas of Bangweolo.  Constant rain above and flood below.  Ill.  Susi and Chuma sent as envoys to Matipa.  Reach Bangweolo.  Arrive at Matipa’s islet.  Matipa’s town.  The donkey suffers in transit.  Tries to go on to Kabinga’s.  Dr. Livingstone makes a demonstration.  Solution of the transport difficulty.  Susi and detachment sent to Kabinga’s.  Extraordinary extent of flood.  Reaches Kabinga’s.  An upset.  Crosses the Chambeze.  The River Muanakazi.  They separate into companies by land and water.  A disconsolate lion.  Singular caterpillars.  Observations on fish.  Coasting along the southern flood of Lake Bangweolo.  Dangerous state of Dr. Livingstone.

1st February, 1873.—­Waiting for the scouts.  They return unsuccessful—­forced to do so by hunger.  They saw a very large river flowing into the Lake, but did not come across a single soul.  Killed our last calf, and turn back for four hard days’ travel to Chitunkue’s.  I send men on before us to bring food back towards us.

2nd February, 1873.—­March smartly back to our camp of 28th ult.  The people bear their hunger well.  They collect mushrooms and plants, and often get lost in this flat featureless country.

3rd February, 1873.—­Return march to our bridge on the Lofu, five hours.  In going we went astray, and took six hours to do the work of five.  Tried lunars in vain.  Either sun or moon in clouds.  On the Luena.

4th February, 1873.—­Return to camp on the rivulet with much Methonica gloriosa on its banks.  Our camp being on its left bank of 26th.  It took long to cross the next river, probably the Kwale, though the elephants’ footprints are all filled up now.  Camp among deserted gardens, which afford a welcome supply of cassava and sweet potatoes.  The men who were sent on before us slept here last night, and have deceived us by going more slowly without loads than we who are loaded.

5th February, 1873.—­Arrived at Chitunkue’s, crossing two broad deep brooks, and on to the Malalenzi, now swollen, having at least 200 yards of flood and more than 300 yards of sponge.  Saluted by a drizzling shower.  We are now at Chitunkue’s mercy.

We find the chief more civil than we expected.  He said each chief had his own land and his own peculiarities.  He was not responsible for others.  We were told that we had been near to Matipa and other chiefs:  he would give us guides if we gave him a cloth and some powder.