An Arab, Sef Rupia or Rubea, head of a large body of slaves, on his way to the coast, most kindly came forward and presented an ox, bag of flour, and some cooked meat, all of which were extremely welcome to half-famished men, or indeed under any circumstances.  He had heard of our want of food and of a band of sepoys, and what could the English think of doing but putting an end to the slave-trade?  Had he seen our wretched escort, all fear of them would have vanished!  He had a large safari or caravan under him.  This body is usually divided into ten or twelve portions, and all are bound to obey the leader to a certain extent:  in this case there were eleven parties, and the traders numbered about sixty or seventy, who were dark coast Arabs.  Each underling had his men under him, and when I saw them they were busy making the pens of branches in which their slaves and they sleep.  Sef came on with me to Mataka’s, and introduced me in due form with discharges of gunpowder.  I asked him to come back next morning, and presented three cloths with a request that he would assist the havildar and sepoys, if he met them, with food:  this he generously did.

We found Mataka’s town situated in an elevated valley surrounded by mountains; the houses numbered at least 1000, and there were many villages around.  The mountains were pleasantly green, and had many trees which the people were incessantly cutting down.  They had but recently come here:  they were besieged by Mazitu at their former location west of this; after fighting four days they left unconquered, having beaten the enemy off.

Mataka kept us waiting some time in the verandah of his large square house, and then made his appearance, smiling with his good-natured face.  He is about sixty years of age, dressed as an Arab, and if we may judge from the laughter with which his remarks were always greeted, somewhat humorous.  He had never seen any but Arabs before.  He gave me a square house to live in, indeed the most of the houses here are square, for the Arabs are imitated in everything:  they have introduced the English pea, and we were pleased to see large patches of it in full bearing, and ripe in moist hollows which had been selected for it.  The numerous springs which come out at various parts are all made use of.  Those parts which are too wet are drained, whilst beds are regularly irrigated by water-courses and ridges:  we had afterwards occasion to admire the very extensive draining which has been effected among the hills.  Cassava is cultivated on ridges along all the streets in the town, which give it a somewhat regular and neat appearance.  Peas and tobacco were the chief products raised by irrigation, but batatas and maize were often planted too:  wheat would succeed if introduced.  The altitude is about 2700 feet above the sea:  the air at this time is cool, and many people have coughs.

Mataka soon sent a good mess of porridge and cooked meat (beef); he has plenty of cattle and sheep:  and the next day he sent abundance of milk.  We stand a good deal of staring unmoved, though it is often accompanied by remarks by no means complimentary; they think that they are not understood, and probably I do misunderstand sometimes.  The Waiyau jumble their words as I think, and Mataka thought that I did not enunciate anything, but kept my tongue still when I spoke.