ThesceneryofthispassremindedusofKebrabasa，althoughitismuchinferior。Abandofthesameblackshiningglazerunsalongtherocksabouttwofeetfromthewater\'sedge。Therewasnotabladeofgrassonsomeofthehills，itbeingtheendoftheusualdryseasonsucceedingapreviousseveredrought；yetthehill-sidesweredottedoverwithbeautifulgreentrees。Afewantelopeswereseenontheruggedslopes，wheresomepeopletooappearedlyingdown，takingacupofbeer。TheKarivuanarrowsareaboutthirtymilesinlength。
TheyendatthemountainRoganora。Tworocks，twelveorfifteenfeetabovethewateratthetimewewerethere，mayinfloodbecoveredanddangerous。Ourchiefdangerwasthewind，averyslightripplebeingsufficienttoswampcanoes。
CHAPTERIX。
Thewaterbuck——DisasterinKebrabasarapids——The\"MaRobert\"
founders——Arrivalofthe\"Pioneer\"andBishopMackenzie\'sparty——
Portugueseslave-trade——Interferenceandliberation。
WearrivedatZumbo，atthemouthoftheLoangwa，onthe1stofNovember。Thewaterbeingscarcelyuptotheknee，ourlandpartywadedthisriverwithease。AbuffalowasshotonanislandoppositePangola\'s，theballlodginginthespleen。Itwasfoundtohavebeenwoundedinthesameorganpreviously，foranironbulletwasimbeddedinit，andthewoundentirelyhealed。AgreatdealoftheplantPistiastratioteswasseenfloatingintheriver。Manypeopleinhabittherightbankaboutthispart，yetthegameisveryabundant。
Asweweretakingourbreakfastonthemorningofthe2nd，theMamboKazai，ofwhomweknewnothing，andhismencamewiththeirmusketsandlargepowder-hornstolevyafine，andobtainpaymentforthewoodweusedincooking。ButonourreplyingtohisdemandthatwewereEnglish，\"Oh!areyou？\"hesaid；\"IthoughtyouwereBazunguPortuguese。TheyarethepeopleItakepaymentsfrom:\"andheapologizedforhismistake。Bazungu，orAzungu，isatermappliedtoallforeignersofalightcolour，andtoArabs；eventotradingslavesifclothed；itprobablymeansforeigners，orvisitors，——fromzunga，tovisitorwander，——andthePortugueseweretheonlyforeignersthesemenhadeverseen。Aswehadnodesiretopassforpeopleofthatnation——quitethecontrary——weusuallymadeabroadlineofdemarcationbysayingthatwewereEnglish，andtheEnglishneitherbought，sold，norheldblackpeopleasslaves，butwishedtoputastoptotheslave-tradealtogether。
Wecalleduponourfriend，Mpende，inpassing。Heprovidedahutforus，withnewmatsspreadonthefloor。Havingtoldhimthatwewerehurryingonbecausetherainswerenear，\"Aretheynear？\"eagerlyinquiredanoldcounsellor，\"andarewetohaveplentyofrainthisyear？\"Wecouldonlysaythatitwasabouttheusualtimefortherainstocommence；andthatthereweretheusualindicationsingreatabundanceofcloudsfloatingwestwards，butthatweknewnothingmorethantheydidthemselves。
Thehippopotamiaremorewaryherethanhigherup，asthenativeshuntthemwithguns。Havingshotoneonashallowsandbank，ourmenundertooktobringitovertotheleftbank，inordertocutitupwithgreaterease。Itwasafinefatone，andallrejoicedinthehopeofeatingthefatforbutter，withourharddrycakesofnativemeal。Ourcookwassentovertocutachoicepiecefordinner，butreturnedwiththeastonishingintelligencethatthecarcasswasgone。
Theyhadbeenhoodwinked，andwereverymuchashamedofthemselves。
AnumberofBanyaicametoassistinrollingitashore，andassertedthatitwasallshallowwater。Theyrolleditoverandovertowardstheland，and，findingtheropewehadmadefasttoit，astheysaid，anencumbrance，itwasunloosed。Allwereshoutingandtalkingasloudastheycouldbawl，whensuddenlyourexpectedfeastplumpedintoadeephole，astheBanyaiintendeditshoulddo。Whensinking，alltheMakololojumpedinafterit。Onecaughtfranticallyatthetail；anothergraspedafoot；athirdseizedthehip；\"but，bySebituane，itwouldgodowninspiteofallthatwecoulddo。”
Insteadofafathippopotamuswehadonlyaleanfowlfordinner，andweregladenoughtogeteventhat。Thehippopotamus，however，floatedduringthenight，andwasfoundaboutamilebelow。TheBanyaithenassembledonthebank，anddisputedourrighttothebeast:\"Itmighthavebeenshotbysomebodyelse。”Ourmentookalittleofitandthenleftit，ratherthancomeintocollisionwiththem。
AfinewaterbuckwasshotintheKakololenarrows，atMountManyerere；itdroppedbesidethecreekwhereitwasfeeding；anenormouscrocodile，thathadbeenwatchingitatthemoment，seizedanddraggeditintothewater，whichwasnotverydeep。Themortallywoundedanimalmadeadesperateplunge，andhaulingthecrocodileseveralyardstoreitselfoutofthehideousjaws。Toescapethehunter，thewaterbuckjumpedintotheriver，andwasswimmingacross，whenanothercrocodilegavechase，butaballsoonsentittothebottom。Thewaterbuckswamalittlelonger，thefineheaddropped，thebodyturnedover，andoneofthecanoesdraggeditashore。BelowKakolole，andstillatthebaseofManyereremountain，severalcoal-
seams，notnoticedonourascent，werenowseentocropoutontherightbankoftheZambesi。
Chitora，ofChicova，treateduswithhisformerhospitality。Ourmenwereallmuchpleasedwithhiskindness，andcertainlydidnotlookuponitasaproofofweakness。TheymeanttoreturnhisfriendlinesswhentheycamethiswayonamaraudingexpeditiontoeatthesheepoftheBanyai，forinsultingthemintheaffairofthehippopotamus；theywouldthensendwordtoChitoranottorunaway，forthey，beinghisfriends，woulddosuchagood-heartedmannoharm。
WeenteredKebrabasarapids，attheeastendofChicova，inthecanoes，andwentdownanumberofmiles，untiltherivernarrowedintoagrooveoffiftyorsixtyyardswide，ofwhichwehavealreadyspokenindescribingtheflood-bedandchanneloflowwater。Thenavigationthenbecamedifficultanddangerous。Afifteenfeetfallofthewaterinourabsencehaddevelopedmanycataracts。Twoofourcanoespassedsafelydownanarrowchannel，which，bifurcating，hadanuglywhirlpoolattherockypartitionbetweenthetwobranches，thedeepholeinthewhirlsattimesopeningandthenshutting。TheDoctor\'scanoecamenext，andseemedtobedriftingbroadsideintotheopenvortex，inspiteoftheutmostexertionsofthepaddlers。
Therestwereexpectingtohavetopulltotherescue；themensaying，\"Lookwherethesepeoplearegoing!——look，look!\"——whenaloudcrashburstonourears。Dr。Kirk\'scanoewasdashedonaprojectionoftheperpendicularrocks，byasuddenandmysteriousboilingupoftheriver，whichoccursatirregularintervals。Dr。
Kirkwasseenresistingthesucking-downactionofthewater，whichmusthavebeenfifteenfathomsdeep，andraisinghimselfbyhisarmsontotheledge，whilehissteersman，holdingontothesamerocks，savedthecanoe；butnearlyallitscontentsweresweptawaydownthestream。Dr。Livingstone\'scanoe，meanwhile，whichhaddistractedthemen\'sattention，wassavedbythecavityinthewhirlpoolfillingupasthefrightfuleddywasreached。AfewofthethingsinDr。Kirk\'scanoewereleft；butallthatwasvaluable，includingachronometer，abarometer，and，toourgreatsorrow，hisnotesofthejourneyandbotanicaldrawingsofthefruit-treesoftheinterior，perished。
Wenowlefttheriver，andproceededonfoot，sorrythatwehadnotdonesothedaybefore。Themenwerethoroughlyfrightened，theyhadneverseensuchperilousnavigation。Theywouldcarryalltheloads，ratherthanriskKebrabasaanylonger；butthefatigueofaday\'smarchoverthehotrocksandburningsandchangedtheirtunebeforenight；andthentheyregrettedhavingleftthecanoes；theythoughttheyshouldhavedraggedthempastthedangerousplaces，andthenlaunchedthemagain。OneofthetwodonkeysdiedfromexhaustionneartheLuia。Thoughthemeneatzebrasandquaggas，bloodrelationsofthedonkey，theywereshockedattheideaofeatingtheass；\"itwouldbelikeeatingmanhimself，becausethedonkeyliveswithman，andishisbosomcompanion。”WemettwolargetradingpartiesofTetteslavesontheirwaytoZumbo，leading，tobesoldforivory，anumberofManganjawomen，withropesroundtheirnecks，andallmadefasttoonelongrope。
Panzo，theheadmanofthevillageeastofKebrabasa，receiveduswithgreatkindness。Aftertheusualsalutationhewentupthehill，and，inaloudvoice，calledacrossthevalleytothewomenofseveralhamletstocooksupperforus。Abouteightintheeveninghereturned，followedbyaprocessionofwomen，bringingthefood。
Therewereeightdishesofnsima，orporridge，sixofdifferentsortsofverygoodwildvegetables，withdishesofbeansandfowls；alldeliciouslywellcooked，andscrupulouslyclean。Thewoodendisheswerenearlyaswhiteasthemealitself:foodalsowasbroughtforourmen。Ripemangoes，whichusuallyindicatethevicinityofthePortuguese，werefoundonthe21stNovember；andwereachedTetteearlyonthe23rd，havingbeenabsentalittleoversixmonths。
ThetwoEnglishsailors，leftinchargeofthesteamer，werewell，hadbehavedwell，andhadenjoyedexcellenthealthallthetimewewereaway。Theirfarmhadbeenafailure。Weleftafewsheep，tobeslaughteredwhentheywishedforfreshmeat，andtwodozenfowls。
Purchasingmore，theysoonhaddoublethenumberofthelatter，andanticipatedagoodsupplyofeggs；buttheyalsoboughttwomonkeys，andTHEYatealltheeggs。Ahippopotamuscameuponenight，andlaidwastetheirvegetablegarden；thesheepbrokeintotheircottonpatch，whenitwasinflower，andateitall，exceptthestems；thenthecrocodilescarriedoffthesheep，andthenativesstolethefowls。Norweretheymoresuccessfulasgun-smiths:aPortuguesetrader，havinganexaltedopinionoftheingenuityofEnglishsailors，showedthemadouble-barrelledrifle，andinquirediftheycouldputontheBROWNING，whichhadrustedoff。\"IthinkIknowshow，\"saidone，whosefatherwasablacksmith，\"it\'sveryeasy；youhaveonlytoputthebarrelsinthefire。”Agreatfireofwoodwasmadeonshore，andtheunluckybarrelsputoverit，tosecurethehandsomeriflecolour。ToJack\'sutteramazementthebarrelscameasunder。Togetoutofthescrape，hiscompanionandhestuckthepiecestogetherwithresin，andsentittotheowner，withthemessage，\"Itwasalltheycoulddoforit，andtheywouldnotchargehimanythingforthejob!\"Theyhadalsoinventedanoriginalmodeofsettlingabargain；havingascertainedthemarketpriceofprovisions，theypaidthat，butnomore。Ifthetradersrefusedtoleavetheshiptillthepricewasincreased，achameleon，ofwhichthenativeshaveamortaldread，wasbroughtoutofthecabin；andthemomentthenativessawthecreature，theyatoncesprangoverboard。Thechameleonsettledeverydisputeinatwinkling。
Butbesidestheirgood-humouredintercourse，theyshowedhumanityworthyofEnglishsailors。Aterriblescreamrousedthemuponenight，andtheypushedoffinaboattotherescue。Acrocodilehadcaughtawoman，andwasdraggingheracrossashallowsandbank。Justastheycameuptoher，shegaveafearfulshriek:thehorridreptilehadsnappedoffherlegattheknee。Theytookheronboard，bandagedthelimbaswellastheycould，and，notthinkingofanybetterwayofshowingtheirsympathy，gaveheraglassofrum，andcarriedhertoahutinthevillage。Nextmorningtheyfoundthebandagestornoff，andtheunfortunatecreaturelefttodie。\"I
believe，\"remarkedRowe，oneofthesailors，\"hermasterwasangrywithusforsavingherlife，seeingashowshehadlostherleg。”
TheZambesibeingunusuallylow，weremainedatTettetillitrosealittle，andthenleftonthe3rdofDecemberfortheKongone。Itwashardworktokeepthevesselafloat；indeed，weneverexpectedhertoremainabovewater。Newleaksbrokeouteveryday；theenginepumpgaveway；thebridgebrokedown；threecompartmentsfilledatnight；
exceptthecabinandfrontcompartmentallwasflooded；andinafewdayswewereassuredbyRowethat\"shecan\'tbeworsethansheis，sir。”HeandHutchinshadspentmuchoftheirtime，whilewewereaway，inpatchingherbottom，puddlingitwithclay，andshoringit，anditwaschieflytopleasethemthatweagainattemptedtomakeuseofher。Wehadlongbeenfullyconvincedthatthesteelplateswerethoroughlyunsuitable。Onthemorningofthe21sttheuncomfortable\"Asthmatic\"groundedonasandbankandfilled。Shecouldneitherbeemptiednorgotoff。Theriverroseduringthenight，andallthatwasvisibleoftheworn-outcraftnextdaywasaboutsixfeetofhertwomasts。Mostofthepropertywehadonboardwassaved；andwespenttheChristmasof1860encampedontheislandofChimba。CanoesweresentforfromSenna；andwereacheditonthe27th，tobeagainhospitablyentertainedbyourfriend，SenhorFerrao。
WereachedtheKongoneonthe4thofJanuary，1861。AflagstaffandaCustom-househadbeenerectedduringourabsence；ahut，also，forablacklance-corporalandthreeprivates。Bythekindpermissionofthelance-corporal，whocametoseeusassoonashehadgotintohistrousersandshirt，wetookupourquartersintheCustom-house，which，liketheotherbuildings，isasmallsquarefloorlesshutofmangrovestakesoverlaidwithreeds。Thesoldierscomplainedofhunger，theyhadnothingtoeatbutalittlemapira，andweremakingpalmwinetodeadentheircravings。Whilewaitingforaship，wehadleisuretoreadthenewspapersandperiodicalswefoundinthemailwhichwaswaitingourarrivalatTette。Severalwereayearandahalfold。
Ourprovisionsbegantorunshort；andtowardstheendofthemonththerewasnothingleftbutalittlebadbiscuitandafewouncesofsugar。Coffeeandteawereexpended，butscarcelymissed，asoursailorsdiscoveredaprettygoodsubstituteinroastedmapira。FreshmeatwasobtainedinabundancefromourantelopepreservesonthelargeislandmadebyacreekbetweentheKongoneandEastLuabo。
Inthisfocusofdecayingvegetation，nothingissomuchtobedreadedasinactivity。Wehad，therefore，tofindwhatexerciseandamusementwecould，whenhuntingwasnotrequired，inpeeringaboutinthefetidswamps；tohavegonemooningabout，inlistlessidleness，wouldhaveensuredfeverinitsworstform，andprobablywithfatalresults。
Acuriouslittleblenny-fishswarmsinthenumerouscreekswhichintersectthemangrovetopes。Whenalarmed，ithurriesacrossthesurfaceofthewaterinaseriesofleaps。Itmaybeconsideredamphibious，asitlivesasmuchoutofthewaterasinit，anditsmostbusytimeisduringlowwater。Thenitappearsonthesandormud，nearthelittlepoolsleftbytheretiringtide；itraisesitselfonitspectoralfinsintosomethingofastandingattitude，andwithitslargeprojectingeyeskeepsasharplook-outforthelight-colouredfly，onwhichitfeeds。Shouldtheflyalightattoogreatadistanceforevenasecondleap，theblennymovesslowlytowardsitlikeacattoitsprey，orlikeajumpingspider；and，assoonasitgetswithintwoorthreeinchesoftheinsect，byasuddenspringcontrivestopopitsundersetmouthdirectlyovertheunluckyvictim。Heis，moreover，apugnaciouslittlefellow；andratherprolongedfightsmaybeobservedbetweenhimandhisbrethren。One，infleeingfromanapparentdanger，jumpedintoapoolafootsquare，whichtheotherevidentlyregardedashisbyrightofpriordiscovery；inatwinklingtheowner，witheyesflashingfury，andwithdorsalfinbristlingupinrage，dashedattheintrudingfoe。
Thefightwaxedfurious，notempestinateapoteverequalledthestormofthatminiaturesea。Thewarriorswerenowinthewater，andanonoutofit，forthebattleragedonseaandshore。Theystruckhard，theybiteachother；until，becomingexhausted，theyseizedeachotherbythejawsliketwobull-dogs，thenpausedforbreath，andatitagainasfiercelyasbefore，untilthecombatendedbytheprecipitateretreatoftheinvader。
Themuddygroundunderthemangrove-treesiscoveredwithsoldier-
crabs，whichquicklyslinkintotheirholesonanysymptomofdanger。
Whentheebbingtideretires，myriadsofminutecrabsemergefromtheirundergroundquarters，andbegintoworklikesomanybusybees。
Soonmanymilesofthesmoothsandbecomeroughwiththeresultsoftheirlabour。Theyaretoilingfortheirdailybread:aroundbitofmoistsandappearsatthelittlelabourer\'smouth，andisquicklybrushedoffbyoneoftheclaws；asecondbitfollowsthefirst；andanother，andstillanothercomeasfastastheycanbelaidaside。
Asthesepelletsaccumulate，thecrabmovessideways，andtheworkcontinues。Thefirstimpressiononereceivesis，thatthelittlecreaturehasswallowedagreatdealofsand，andisgettingridofitasspeedilyaspossible:ahabitheindulgesinofdartingintohisholeatintervals，asifforfreshsupplies，tendstostrengthenthisidea；butthesizeoftheheapsformedinafewsecondsshowsthatthiscannotbethecase，andleadstotheimpressionthat，althoughnotreadilyseen，atthedistanceatwhichhechoosestokeeptheobserver，yetthatpossiblyheraisesthesandtohismouth，wherewhateveranimalculeitmaycontainissiftedoutofit，andtheremainderrejectedinthemannerdescribed。Attimesthelargerspeciesofcrabsperformasortofconcert；andfromeachsubterraneanabodestrangesoundsarise，asif，inimitationofthesongstersofthegroves，forveryjoytheysang!
Wefoundsomenativespoundingthewoodystemsofapoisonousclimbing-plantDircapalustriscalledBusungu，orpoison，whichgrowsabundantlyintheswamps。Whenagoodquantitywasbruised，itwastiedupinbundles。Thestreamaboveandbelowwasobstructedwithbushes，andwithasortofrinsingmotionthepoisonwasdiffusedthroughthewater。Manyfishweresoonaffected，swaininshore，anddied，otherswereonlystupefied。Theplanthaspink，pea-shapedblossoms，andsmooth，pointed，glossyleaves，andthebrownbarkiscoveredwithminutewhitepoints。Theknowledgeofitmightproveofusetoashipwreckedpartybyenablingthemtocatchthefish。
Thepoisonissaidtobedeleterioustomanifthewaterisdrunk；
butnotwhenthefishiscooked。TheBusunguisrepulsivetosomeinsects，andissmearedroundtheshootsofthepalm-treestopreventtheantsfromgettingintothepalmwinewhileitisdroppingfromthetopsofthepalm-treesintothelittlepotssuspendedtocollectit。
Wewereinthehabitofwalkingfromourbedsintothesaltwateratsunrise，forabath，tillalargecrocodileappearedatthebathing-
place，andfromthattimeforthwetookourdipinthesea，awayfromtheharbour，aboutmidday。Thisissaidtobeunwholesome，butwedidnotfinditso。Itiscertainlybetternottobatheinthemornings，whentheairiscolderthanthewater——forthen，onreturningtothecoolerair，oneisapttogetachillandfever。Inthemouthoftheriver，manysaw-fisharefound。Rowesawonewhilebathing——caughtitbythetail，andshovedit，\"snouton，\"ashore。
Thesawisfromafoottoeighteenincheslong。Weneverheardofanyonebeingwoundedbythisfish；nor，thoughitgoeshundredsofmilesuptheriverinfreshwater，couldwelearnthatitwaseatenbythepeople。Thehippopotamidelightedtospendthedayamongthebreakers，andseemedtoenjoythefunasmuchaswedid。
SeveregalesoccurredduringourstayontheCoast，andmanysmallsea-birdsPrionBanksii，Smithperished:thebeachwasstrewnwiththeirdeadbodies，andsomewerefoundhundredsofyardsinland；manyweresoemaciatedastodryupwithoutputrefying。Wewereplaguedwithmyriadsofmosquitoes，andhadsometouchesoffever；themenwebroughtfrommalariousregionsoftheinteriorsufferedalmostasmuchfromithereaswedidourselves。Thisgivesstrengthtotheideathatthecivilizedwithstandtheevilinfluencesofstrangeclimatesbetterthantheuncivilized。Whennegroesreturntotheirowncountryfromhealthylands，theysufferasseverelyasforeignerseverdo。
Onthe31stofJanuary，1861，ournewship，the\"Pioneer，\"arrivedfromEngland，andanchoredoutsidethebar；buttheweatherwasstormy，andshedidnotventureintillthe4thofFebruary。
TwoofH。M。cruiserscameatthesametime，bringingBishopMackenzie，andtheOxfordandCambridgeMissiontothetribesoftheShireandLakeNyassa。TheMissionconsistedofsixEnglishmen，andfivecolouredmenfromtheCape。Itwasapuzzletoknowwhattodowithsomanymen。TheestimableBishop，anxioustocommencehisworkwithoutdelay，wishedthe\"Pioneer\"tocarrytheMissionuptheShire，asfarasChibisa\'s，andthereleavethem。Butthereweregraveobjectionstothis。The\"Pioneer\"wasunderorderstoexploretheRovuma，asthePortugueseGovernmenthadrefusedtoopentheZambesitotheshipsofothernations，andtheirofficialswereveryeffectuallypursuingasystem，which，byabstractingthelabour，wasrenderingthecountryofnovalueeithertoforeignersortothemselves。Shewasalreadytwomonthsbehindhertime，andtherainyseasonwashalfover。Then，ifthepartyweretakentoChibisa\'s，theMissionwouldheleftwithoutamedicalattendant，inanunhealthyregion，atthebeginningofthemostsicklyseasonoftheyear，andwithoutmeansofreachingthehealthyhighlands，orofreturningtothesea。Wedreadedthat，intheabsenceofmedicalaidandallknowledgeofthetreatmentoffever，theremightbearepetitionofthesorrowfulfatewhichbefellthesimilarnon-medicalMissionatLinyanti。
Onthe25thofFebruarythe\"Pioneer\"anchoredinthemouthoftheRovuma，which，unlikemostAfricanrivers，hasamagnificentbayandnobar。Wewooded，andthenwaitedfortheBishoptillthe9thofMarch，whenhecameinthe\"Lyra。”Onthe11thweproceededuptheriver，andsawthatithadfallenfourorfivefeetduringourdetention。ThesceneryonthelowerpartoftheRovumaissuperiortothatontheZambesi，forwecanseethehighlandsfromthesea。
Eightmilesfromthemouththemangrovesareleftbehind，andabeautifulrangeofwell-woodedhillsoneachbankbegins。OntheseridgesthetreeresemblingAfricanblackwood，offinergrainthanebony，growsabundantly，andattainsalargesize。Fewpeoplewereseen，andthosewereofArabbreed，anddidnotappeartobeverywelloff。ThecurrentoftheRovumawasnowasstrongasthatoftheZambesi，butthevolumeofwaterisverymuchless。Severalofthecrossingshadbarelywaterenoughforourship，drawingfivefeet，topass。Whenwewerethirtymilesuptheriver，thewaterfellsuddenlyseveninchesintwenty-fourhours。AstheMarchfloodisthelastoftheseason，anditappearedtobeexpended，itwasthoughtprudenttoavoidthechanceofayear\'sdetention，bygettingtheshipbacktotheseawithoutdelay。HadtheExpeditionbeenalone，wewouldhavepushedupinboats，orafoot，anddonewhatwecouldtowardstheexplorationoftheriverandupperendofthelake；
but，thoughtheMissionwasaprivateone，andentirelydistinctfromourown，apublicone，theobjectsofbothbeingsimilar，wefeltanxioustoaidourcountrymenintheirnobleenterprise；and，ratherthanfollowourowninclination，decidedtoreturntotheShire，seetheMissionpartysettledsafely，andafterwardsexploreLakeNyassaandtheRovuma，fromtheLakedownwards。Feverbrokeoutonboardthe\"Pioneer，\"atthemouthoftheRovuma，aswethoughtfromourhavinganchoredclosetoacreekcomingoutofthemangroves；anditremainedinheruntilwecompletelyisolatedtheengine-roomfromtherestoftheship。Thecoal-dustrottingsentoutstrongeffluvia，andkeptupthediseaseformorethanatwelvemonth。
Soonafterwestartedthefeverputthe\"Pioneer\"almostentirelyintothehandsoftheoriginalZambesiExpedition，andnotlongafterwardstheleaderhadtonavigatetheoceanaswellastheriver。
Thehabitoffindingthegeographicalpositionsonlandrendersitaneasytasktosteerasteamerwithonlythreeorfoursailsatsea；
where，ifonedoesnotrunashore，noonefollowstofindoutanerror，andwhereacurrentaffordsareadyexcuseforeveryblunder。
TouchingatMohilla，oneoftheComoroIslands，onourreturn，wefoundamixedraceofArabs，Africans，andtheirconquerors，thenativesofMadagascar。BeingMahometans，theyhavemosquesandschools，inwhichwewerepleasedtoseegirlsaswellasboystaughttoreadtheKoran。Theteachersaidhewaspaidbythejob，andreceivedtendollarsforteachingeachchildtoread。Thecleveroneslearninsixmonths；butthedullonestakeacoupleofyears。
WenextwentovertoJohannaforourfriends；and，afterasojournofafewdaysatthebeautifulComoroIslands，wesailedfortheKongonemouthoftheZambesiwithBishopMackenzieandhisparty。Wereachedthecoastinsevendays，andpasseduptheZambesitotheShire。
The\"Pioneer，\"constructedundertheskilfulsupervisionofAdmiralSirBaldwinWalkerandthelateAdmiralWashington，warm-heartedandhighlyesteemedfriendsoftheExpedition，wasaverysuperiorvessel，andwellsuitedforourworkineveryrespect，exceptinherdraughtofwater。FivefeetwerefoundtobetoomuchforthenavigationoftheupperpartoftheShire。Designedtodrawthreefeetonly，theweightnecessarytoimpartextrastrength，andfitherfortheocean，broughtherdowntwofeetmore，andcausedusagreatdealofhardandvexatiouswork，inlayingoutanchors，andtoilingatthecapstantogetheroffsandbanks。Weshouldnothavemindedthismuch，butfortheheavylossoftimewhichmighthavebeenmoreprofitably，andinfinitelymorepleasantly，spentinintercoursewiththepeople，exploringnewregions，andotherwisecarryingouttheobjectsoftheExpedition。Oncewewereafortnightonabankofsoftyieldingsand，havingonlytwoorthreeincheslesswaterthantheshipdrew；thisdelaywasoccasionedbytheanchorscominghome，andthecurrentswingingtheshipbroadsideonthebank，which，immediatelyonourtouching，alwaysformedbehindus。WedidnotliketoleavetheshipshortofChibisa\'s，lestthecrewshouldsufferfromthemalariaofthelowlandaround；anditwouldhavebeendifficulttohavegottheMissiongoodscarriedup。Weweredailyvisitedbycrowdsofnatives，whobroughtusabundanceofprovisionsfarbeyondourabilitytoconsume。Inhaulingthe\"Pioneer\"overtheshallowplaces，theBishop，withHoraceWallerandMr。Scudamore，wereeverreadyandanxioustolendahand，andworkedashardasanyonboard。Hadourfinelittleshipdrawnbutthreefeet，shecouldhaverunupanddowntheriveratanytimeoftheyearwiththegreatestease，butasitwas，havingoncepassedupoverafewshallowbanks，itwasimpossibletotakeherdownagainuntiltheriverroseinDecember。Shecouldgoupoverabank，butnotcomedownoverit，asaheapofsandalwaysformedinstantlyastern，whilethecurrentwasheditawayfromunderherbows。
OnatlastreachingChibisa\'s，weheardthattherewaswarintheManganjacountry，andtheslave-tradewasgoingonbriskly。A
deputationfromachiefnearMountZombahadjustpassedonitswaytoChibisa，whowasinadistantvillage，toimplorehimtocomehimself，orsendmedicine，todriveofftheWaiao，Waiau，orAjawa，whosemaraudingpartiesweredesolatingtheland。AlargegangofrecentlyenslavedManganjacrossedtheriver，ontheirwaytoTette，afewdaysbeforewegottheshipup。Chibisa\'sdeputywascivil，andreadilygaveuspermissiontohireasmanymentocarrytheBishop\'sgoodsuptothehillsaswerewillingtogo。Withasufficientnumber，therefore，westartedforthehighlandsonthe15thofJuly，toshowtheBishopthecountry，which，fromitsaltitudeandcoolness，wasmostsuitableforastation。Ourfirstday\'smarchwasalongandfatiguingone。Thefewhamletswepassedwerepoor，andhadnofoodforourmen，andwewereobligedtogoontill4p。m。，whenweenteredthesmallvillageofChipindu。Theinhabitantscomplainedofhunger，andsaidtheyhadnofoodtosell，andnohutforustosleepin；but，ifwewouldonlygoonalittlefurther，weshouldcometoavillagewheretheyhadplentytoeat；
butwehadtravelledfarenough，anddeterminedtoremainwherewewere。Beforesunsetasmuchfoodwasbroughtaswecaredtopurchase，and，asitthreatenedtorain，hutswereprovidedforthewholeparty。
NextforenoonwehaltedatthevillageofouroldfriendMbame，toobtainnewcarriers，becauseChibisa\'smen，neverbeforehavingbeenhired，andnothavingyetlearnedtotrustus，didnotchoosetogofurther。Afterrestingalittle，MbametoldusthataslavepartyonitswaytoTettewouldpresentlypassthroughhisvillage。\"Shallweinterfere？\"weinquiredofeachother。WerememberedthatallourvaluableprivatebaggagewasinTette，which，ifwefreedtheslaves，might，togetherwithsomeGovernmentproperty，bedestroyedinretaliation；butthissystemofslave-huntersdogginguswherepreviouslytheydurstnotventure，and，onpretenceofbeing\"ourchildren，\"settingonetribeagainstanother，tofurnishthemselveswithslaves，wouldsoinevitablythwartalltheefforts，forwhichwehadthesanctionofthePortugueseGovernment，thatweresolvedtorunallrisks，andputastop，ifpossible，totheslave-trade，whichhadnowfollowedonthefootstepsofourdiscoveries。AfewminutesafterMbamehadspokentous，theslaveparty，alonglineofmanacledmen，women，andchildren，camewendingtheirwayroundthehillandintothevalley，onthesideofwhichthevillagestood。
Theblackdrivers，armedwithmuskets，andbedeckedwithvariousarticlesoffinery，marchedjauntilyinthefront，middle，andrearoftheline；someofthemblowingexultantnotesoutoflongtinhorns。Theyseemedtofeelthattheyweredoingaverynoblething，andmightproudlymarchwithanairoftriumph。ButtheinstantthefellowscaughtaglimpseoftheEnglish，theydartedofflikemadintotheforest；sofast，indeed，thatwecaughtbutaglimpseoftheirredcapsandthesolesoftheirfeet。Thechiefofthepartyaloneremained；andhe，frombeinginfront，hadhishandtightlygraspedbyaMakololo!Heprovedtobeawell-knownslaveofthelateCommandantatTette，andforsometimeourownattendantwhilethere。Onaskinghimhowheobtainedthesecaptives，herepliedhehadboughtthem；butonourinquiringofthepeoplethemselves，all，savefour，saidtheyhadbeencapturedinwar。Whilethisinquirywasgoingon，heboltedtoo。Thecaptiveskneltdown，and，intheirwayofexpressingthanks，clappedtheirhandswithgreatenergy。
Theywerethusleftentirelyonourhands，andknivesweresoonbusyatworkcuttingthewomenandchildrenloose。Itwasmoredifficulttocutthemenadrift，aseachhadhisneckintheforkofastoutstick，sixorsevenfeetlong，andwaskeptinbyanironrodwhichwasrivetedatbothendsacrossthethroat。Withasaw，luckilyintheBishop\'sbaggage，onebyonethemenweresawnoutintofreedom。
Thewomen，onbeingtoldtotakethemealtheywerecarryingandcookbreakfastforthemselvesandthechildren，seemedtoconsiderthenewstoogoodtobetrue；butafteralittlecoaxingwentatitwithalacrity，andmadeacapitalfirebywhichtoboiltheirpotswiththeslavesticksandbonds，theiroldacquaintancesthroughmanyasadnightandwearyday。Manyweremerechildrenaboutfiveyearsofageandunder。Onelittleboy，withthesimplicityofchildhood，saidtoourmen，\"Theotherstiedandstarvedus，youcuttheropesandtellustoeat；whatsortofpeopleareyou？——Wheredidyoucomefrom？\"Twoofthewomenhadbeenshotthedaybeforeforattemptingtountiethethongs。This，therestweretold，wastopreventthemfromattemptingtoescape。Onewomanhadherinfant\'sbrainsknockedout，becauseshecouldnotcarryherloadandit。Andamanwasdispatchedwithanaxe，becausehehadbrokendownwithfatigue。
Self-interestwouldhavesetawatchoverthewholeratherthancommitmurder；butinthistrafficweinvariablyfindself-interestovercomebycontemptofhumanlifeandbybloodthirstiness。
TheBishopwasnotpresentatthisscene，havinggonetobatheinalittlestreambelowthevillage；butonhisreturnhewarmlyapprovedofwhathadbeendone；heatfirsthaddoubts，butnowfeltthat，hadhebeenpresent，hewouldhavejoinedusinthegoodwork。Logicisoutofplacewhenthequestionwithatrue-heartedmanis，whetherhisbrothermanistobesavedornot。Eighty-four，chieflywomenandchildren，wereliberated；andonbeingtoldthattheywerenowfree，andmightgowheretheypleased，orremainwithus，theyallchosetostay；andtheBishopwiselyattachedthemtohisMission，tobeeducatedasmembersofaChristianfamily。InthiswayagreatdifficultyinthecommencementofaMissionwasovercome。Yearsareusuallyrequiredbeforeconfidenceissofarinstilledintothenatives\'mindastoinducethem，youngorold，tosubmittotheguidanceofstrangersprofessingtobeactuatedbymotivesthereverseofworldlywisdom，andinculcatingcustomsstrangeandunknowntothemandtheirfathers。
WeproceedednextmorningtoSoche\'swithourliberatedparty，themencheerfullycarryingtheBishop\'sgoods。Aswehadbegun，itwasofnousetodothingsbyhalves，soeightotherswerefreedinahamletonourpath；butapartyoftraders，withnearlyahundredslaves，fledfromSoche\'sonhearingofourproceedings。Dr。KirkandfourMakololofollowedthemwithgreatenergy，buttheymadeclearofftoTette。SixmorecaptiveswereliberatedatMongazi\'s，andtwoslave-tradersdetainedforthenight，topreventthemfromcarryinginformationtoalargepartystillinfront。OftheirownaccordtheyvolunteeredtheinformationthattheGovernor\'sservantshadchargeofthenextparty；butwedidnotchoosetobeledbythem，thoughtheyofferedtoguideustohisExcellency\'sownagents。
TwooftheBishop\'sblackmenfromtheCape，havingoncebeenslaves，werenowzealousemancipators，andvolunteeredtoguardtheprisonersduringthenight。Soanxiouswereourheroestokeepthemsafe，thatinsteadofrelievingeachother，bykeepingwatchandwatch，bothkeptwatchtogether，tilltowardsfouro\'clockinthemorning，whensleepstolegentlyoverthemboth；andthewakefulprisoners，seizingtheopportunity，escaped:oneoftheguards，perceivingtheloss，rushedoutofthehut，shouting，\"Theyaregone，theprisonersareoff，andtheyhavetakenmyriflewiththem，andthewomentoo!
Fire!everybodyfire!\"Therifleandthewomen，however，wereallsafeenough，theslave-tradersbeingonlytoogladtoescapealone。
Fiftymoreslaveswerefreednextdayinanothervillage；and，thewholepartybeingstark-naked，clothenoughwaslefttoclothethem，betterprobablythantheyhadeverbeenclothedbefore。Theheadofthisgang，whomweknewastheagentofoneoftheprincipalmerchantsofTette，saidthattheyhadthelicenseoftheGovernorforalltheydid。Thiswewerefullyawareofwithouthisstatingit。ItisquiteimpossibleforanyenterprisetobeundertakentherewithouttheGovernor\'sknowledgeandconnivance。