its similarity in shape to an axe at the top, is called Motemwa.  Beyond it, eastward, lies the country of Kaimbwa, a chief who has been engaged in actual conflict with the Bazunga, and beat them too, according to the version of things here.  The hills on the north bank are named Kamoenja.  When we came to Mpende’s village, he immediately sent to inquire who we were, and then ordered the guides who had come with us from the last village to go back and call their masters.  He sent no message to us whatever.  We had traveled very slowly up to this point, the tsetse-stricken oxen being now unable to go two miles an hour.  We were also delayed by being obliged to stop at every village, and send notice of our approach to the head man, who came and received a little information, and gave some food.  If we had passed on without taking any notice of them, they would have considered it impolite, and we should have appeared more as enemies than friends.  I consoled myself for the loss of time by the thought that these conversations tended to the opening of our future path.

23D.  This morning, at sunrise, a party of Mpende’s people came close to our encampment, uttering strange cries and waving some bright red substance toward us.  They then lighted a fire with charms in it, and departed, uttering the same hideous screams as before.  This was intended to render us powerless, and probably also to frighten us.  Ever since dawn, parties of armed men have been seen collecting from all quarters, and numbers passed us while it was yet dark.  Had we moved down the river at once, it would have been considered an indication of fear or defiance, and so would a retreat.  I therefore resolved to wait, trusting in Him who has the hearts of all men in His hands.  They evidently intended to attack us, for no friendly message was sent; and when three of the Batoka the night before entered the village to beg food, a man went round about each of them, making a noise like a lion.  The villagers then called upon them to do homage, and, when they complied, the chief ordered some chaff to be given them, as if it had been food.  Other things also showed unmistakable hostility.  As we were now pretty certain of a skirmish, I ordered an ox to be slaughtered, as this is a means which Sebituane employed for inspiring courage.  I have no doubt that we should have been victorious; indeed, my men, who were far better acquainted with fighting than any of the people on the Zambesi, were rejoicing in the prospect of securing captives to carry the tusks for them.  “We shall now,” said they, “get both corn and clothes in plenty.”  They were in a sad state, poor fellows; for the rains we had encountered had made their skin-clothing drop off piecemeal, and they were looked upon with disgust by the well-fed and well-clothed Zambesians.  They were, however, veterans in marauding, and the head men, instead of being depressed by fear, as the people of Mpende intended should be the case in using their charms, hinted broadly to me that I ought to allow them to keep Mpende’s wives.  The roasting of meat went on fast and furious, and some of the young men said to me, “You have seen us with elephants, but you don’t know yet what we can do with men.”  I believe that, had Mpende struck the first blow, he would soon have found out that he never made a greater mistake in his life.