to the Leewumbu river, so that the only w a y
o f access was the narrow gap through which
we had entered. W e soon closed the gateway
with a dense wall o f brushwood, and in perfect
security la y down to rest.
This camp was at an altitude o f 5650 feet
above the ocean, and due west o f Vinyata about
ten miles. On one side o f us was the deep-
wooded v a lle y through which the rapid L e e wumbu
rushes. Its banks on each side slope
s te ep ly .upward, and at the top become detached
hills clothed with forest; from their base wave
the uplands in grand and imposing wooded
ridges. North o f the Leewumbu the hills are
bolder than those to the south.
On the 27th, at dawn, we crossed the L e e wumbu,
and the whole o f that day and the day
following, our route was through a forest o f
fine myombo, intersected b y singular narrow
plains, forming at this season o f the y ea r so
many quagmires. Other features o f this region
were enormous bare rocks, looming like castles
through the forest, and hillocks composed o f
g reat fragments o f splintered granite and broad
heaving humps o f g re y gneiss. One o f these
singular features o f this part o f Africa gives its
name to Mgongo Tembo, “ The Elephant’s Back.”
Fa r to the south is a similar hill, which I passed
b y during the first expedition; and its chief,
emigrating to Iramba, has bestowed upon a like
r.jan. 29-31, 1875.-1 THE UBIQUITOUS MIRAMBO. 16 7
LMgongo Tembo.J
feature at the site o f his new colony the name
o f his former village, to remind him o f old
associations.
On the 29th we entered Mgongo Tembo, and
became acquainted with the chief, who is also
known b y the fantastic name which he has
given his new quarters, though his real name
is Malewa. He is a strong conservative, dislikes
innovations, declares young men nowadays to
be too fond o f travel, and will not allow his
sons— he has sixteen— to visit either Unyanyembe
or Zanzibar lest they should learn bad habits.
He is a hearty, jovial soul, kindly disposed if
let alone. He has lately emerged triumphantly
out o f a war with Maganga o f Rubuga, an ally
o f the famous Mirambo.
It had been an object with me at one time
to steer clear of Mirambo, but as I recognised
arid became impressed with his ubiquitous powers,
I failed to perceive how the system o f exploration
I had planned could be effected if I wandered
great distances out o f his way. On the first
expedition some o f my people perished in a
conflict, with him, and on returning with Livingstone
to Unyanyembe, we heard o f him dealing
effective blows with extraordinary rapidity on
his Arab and native foes. Since leaving Ugogo,
we heard daily o f him on this expedition. He
was one d ay advancing upon Kirirumo, at another
place he Was on our flanks somewhere