n
the highlands, and make sudden swoops on the villages of the plains. They
are Zulus who came originally from the south, inland of Sofalla and
Inhambane; and are of the same family as those who levy annual tribute
from the Portuguese on the Zambesi. All the villages north of
Mankambira's (lat. 11 degrees 44 minutes south) had been recently
destroyed by these terrible marauders, but they were foiled in their
attacks upon that chief and Marenga. The thickets and stockades round
their villages enabled the bowmen to pick off the Mazitu in security,
while they were afraid to venture near any place where they could not use
their shields. Beyond Mankambira's we saw burned villages, and the
putrid bodies of many who had fallen by Mazitu spears only a few days
before. Our land party were afraid to go further. This reluctance to
proceed without the presence of a white man was very natural, because
bands of the enemy who had ravaged the country were supposed to be still
roaming about; and if these marauders saw none but men of their own
colour, our party might forthwith be attacked. Compliance with their
request led to an event which might have been attended by very serious
consequences. Dr. Livingstone got separated from the party in the boat
for four days. Having taken the first morning's journey along with them,
and directing the boat to call for him in a bay in sight, both parties
proceeded north. In an hour Dr. Livingstone and his party struck inland,
on approaching the foot of the mountains which rise abruptly from the
lake. Supposing that they had heard of a path behind the high range
which there forms the shore, those in the boat held on their course; but
it soon began to blow so fresh that they had to run ashore for safety.
While delayed a couple of hours, two men were sent up the hills to look
for the land party, but they could see nothing of them, and the boat
party sailed as soon as it was safe to put to sea, with the conviction
that the missing ones would regain the lake in front.

In a short time a small island or mass of rocks was passed, on which were
a number of armed Mazitu with some young women, apparently their wives.
The headman said that he had been wounded in the foot by Mankambira, and
that they were staying there till he could walk to his chief, who lived
over the hills. They had several large canoes, and it was evident that
this was a nest of lake pirates, who sallied out by night to kill and