with abundant self-confidence, from the cool
complacency with which th ey regarded us.
Their canoes were beautiful specimens, and
descriptions o f them will be given hereafter.
T h e shores were bold, irregular in outline, and
clothed with a luxuriance o f vegetation and
many tall trees, between which were seen the
banana groves, their pale green colour strongly
contrasting with the darker tints o f the forest
foliage.
The night that followed was wild. A t sunset
th e temperature fell to 70° Fahr., and the wind
was charged with a cold drizzle. Being in rather
an exposed position, w e moved our anchorage
near the mouth of the Munulu river, and not a
minute too soon, for the wind increased to a
gale; and the g ale, heralded b y a short-lived
squall, brought hailstones with it. Preparing
to pass the night here, we covered the boat
with a sail, under which the sailors slept, though
the watch, frequently relieved, was obliged to
maintain a strict look-out. Throughout the long
hours o f darkness, the gale maintained its fo r c e ;
the boat pitched and groaned, and the rain fell
in torrents; the seas frequently tossed capfuls
o f water into us, so that, under such circumstances,
w e enjoyed no rest.
B y morning the gale had subsided, and the
h e a v y , sluggish waves were slumbering. A fte r
waiting to co o k our morning meal, and assisting
the restoration o f animal heat with draughts o f
Liebig’s extract liquefied, we resumed our journey
along the southern coast o f Uvuma about
S A.M.
Upon leaving the b a y o f Mombiti, we were
compelled to pass b y a point o f land closely
covered with tall grass, whither we saw a large
force o f natives rush to take up advantageous
positions. A s we s low ly neared the point, a
few o f them advanced to the rocks, and beckoned
us to approach nearer. W e acceded so far as
to approach within a few feet, when the natives
called out something, and immediately attacked
us with large rocks. W e sheered off immediately,
when a crowd emerged from their hiding-place
with slings, with which they flung stones at us,
striking the boat and wounding the steersman,
who was seated next to me. T o prevent further
harm, I discharged my revolver rapidly at them,
and one o f the natives fell, whereupon the others
desisted from their attack, and retreated into
the grass, leaving us to pursue our w a y unmolested.
Again edging close to the shore, we continued
our investigations o f the numerous indentations.
The island rose with steep, g ra s sy , treeless
slopes to a height o f about 300 feet above the
lake. Herds o f cattle were abundant, and flocks
o f goats grazed on the hillsides. T h e villages
were many, but unenclosed, and consisted o f a