ain. One by one the others perform the same feat,
and continue the sport for hours, striving which can produce the loudest
brattle while turning. These games are only played during the season of
courting and of the gay feathers; the merriment seems never to be thought
of while the bird wears his winter suit of sober brown.

We received two mules from the Cape to aid us in transporting the pieces
of the "Lady Nyassa" past the cataracts and landed them at Shupanga, but
they soon perished. A Portuguese gentleman kindly informed us, _after_
both the mules were dead, that he knew they would die; for the land there
had been often tried, and nothing would live on it--not even a pig. He
said he had not told us so before, because he did not like to appear
officious!

By the time everything had been placed on board the "Lady Nyassa," the
waters of the Zambesi and the Shire had fallen so low that it was useless
to attempt taking her up to the cataracts before the rains in December.
Draught oxen and provisions also were required, and could not be obtained
nearer than the Island of Johanna. The Portuguese, without refusing
positively to let trade enter the Zambesi, threw impediments in the way;
they only wanted a small duty! They were about to establish a river
police, and rearrange the Crown lands, which have long since become Zulu
lands; meanwhile they were making the Zambesi, by slaving, of no value to
any one.

The Rovuma, which was reported to come from Lake Nyassa, being out of
their claims and a free river, we determined to explore it in our boats
immediately on our return from Johanna, for which place, after some delay
at the Kongone, in repairing engines, paddle-wheel, and rudder, we sailed
on the 6th of August. A store of naval provisions had been formed on a
hulk in Pomone Bay of that island for the supply of the cruisers, and was
in charge of Mr. Sunley, the Consul, from whom we always received the
kindest attentions and assistance. He now obliged us by parting with six
oxen, trained for his own use in sugar-making. Though sadly hampered in
his undertaking by being obliged to employ slave labour, he has by
indomitable energy overcome obstacles under which most persons would have
sunk. He has done all that under the circumstances could be done to
infuse a desire for freedom, by paying regular wages; and has established
a large factory, and brought 300 acres of rich soil under cultivation
with sugar-cane. We t