illed our
last calf, and turn back for four hard days' travel to Chitunkue's. I
send men on before us to bring food back towards us.

_2nd February, 1873._--March smartly back to our camp of 28th ult. The
people bear their hunger well. They collect mushrooms and plants, and
often get lost in this flat featureless country.

_3rd February, 1873._--Return march to our bridge on the Lofu, five
hours. In going we went astray, and took six hours to do the work of
five. Tried lunars in vain. Either sun or moon in clouds. On the Luena.

_4th February, 1873._--Return to camp on the rivulet with much
_Methonica gloriosa_ on its banks. Our camp being on its left bank of
26th. It took long to cross the next river, probably the Kwale, though
the elephants' footprints are all filled up now. Camp among deserted
gardens, which afford a welcome supply of cassava and sweet potatoes.
The men who were sent on before us slept here last night, and have
deceived us by going more slowly without loads than we who are loaded.

_5th February, 1873._--Arrived at Chitunkue's, crossing two broad deep
brooks, and on to the Malalenzi, now swollen, having at least 200 yards
of flood and more than 300 yards of sponge. Saluted by a drizzling
shower. We are now at Chitunkue's mercy.

We find the chief more civil than we expected. He said each chief had
his own land and his own peculiarities. He was not responsible for
others. We were told that we had been near to Matipa and other chiefs:
he would give us guides if we gave him a cloth and some powder.

We returned over these forty-one miles in fifteen hours, through much
deep water. Our scouts played us false both in time and beads: the
headmen punished them. I got lunars, for a wonder. Visited Chitunkubwe,
as his name properly is. He is a fine jolly-looking man, of a European
cast of countenance, and very sensible and friendly. I gave him two
cloths, for which he seemed thankful, and promised good guides to
Matipa's. He showed me two of Matipa's men who had heard us firing guns
to attract one of our men who had strayed; these men followed us. It
seems we had been close to human habitations, but did not know it. We
have lost half a month by this wandering, but it was all owing to the
unfriendliness of some and the fears of all. I begged for a more
northerly path, where the water is low. It is impossible to describe
the amount of water near the Lake. Rivulets without number. They are so
deep as to dam