to be everywhere at one and tbe same time, and bad many
loves besides tbe multitude of recipients of bis lawful
affection. His beart in love affairs was of a very elastic
description.
Considering all tbis, I proceeded to casb bis demands on
tbe dry-goods bank, altbougb every strip I gave bim was
like parting with an eye-tootb. Jobn, wbo knew tbe close
state of affairs, would now and again give vent to a gentle
reminder.
“ Oub ! ” be would exclaim ; “ be want all de tings. And
de master is geev um dat fine clotb wbat I like to take back
to my leetle wife ! ”
“Never mind, Jobn, keep up a ligbt beart, tbere’s plenty
more clotb on tbe Zambesi.”
About eigbt o’clock on tbe next morning, accompanied by
Karemba and Sandani, I climbed up to tbe town, wbicb
occupies a balf-bidden position on tbe northern slopes of
tbe mountains, amid a buge agglomeration of rock comprising
masses of granite, some rounded and showing a few
seams, but mostly jagged, broken and angular. Overhanging
boulders of gigantic'size frown threateningly above tbe small
clusters of rudely-formed huts, wbicb dot tbe open spaces
to tbe north.
Small shrubs, thorny trees, creepers, and long tufted
grass spring out from tbe crevices in tbis wild and natural
rockery. Upon tbe bare spots wbicb intervene are to be
found tbë huts of tbe artless, but contented and happy
inhabitants.
We soon found ourselves at the “ Bock of Wisdom,” an
immense slab of bard, slippery rock, polished doubtless by tbe
feet of many thousands of assemblies ; for here it is that tbe
chief bolds bis court, and wheye tbe pipe of peace is passed,
while tbe hoarse cough of tbe hemp smoker may be beard
from dawn to sunset. This hemp-smoking produces a most
violent irritation of tbe mucous membrane, and the continuance
of tbe practice brings on haemorrhage, ultimately
causing death.
Tbe chief invited us to bis but, where beer made from
maize was produced. From the numerous huts^ which
were dotted closely around, I could infer that Chibabura
bad numerous wives. Tbe huts were irregularly scattered
here and there, but all in close proximity to that of the
chief.
Chibabura showed me wbat a large stock of beads be
bad, telling me that tbe beads and clotb that they bad in
their neighbourhood came from tbe Zambesi by way of
Negomo’s town. He likewise stated that the Portuguese
sent black men out with trading articles to buy gold. One
of these parties I afterwards met on my journey northwards.
Escorted by Chibabura we all walked to tbe “ Bock of
Wisdom,” and from that position tbe chief pointed out the
direction in wbicb we were about to travel.
Our “ coigne of vantage ” commanded from its altitude a
panoramic view of tbe whole of tbe outlying country. ^ Expanding
from left to right lay a vast forest-clad park, girded
upon every side by towering precipitous mountains. Over
tbe distant bills away to tbe north, in tbe direction we were
to travel, twin peaks of basaltic rock spired heavenward
in clearest grandeur, like tbe steeples of some gigantic
structure, not fashioned by.the band of man, but suddenly
reared by some wild convulsive throb of puissant nature.
Beneath these natural spires was situated tbe town of
Zingabila, wbicb we were destined to pass.
Chibabura assured me that bis boys would go with me to
Kunyungwi.
There is but little difference in tbe people’s mode of