_--Villages are very thickly studded over the
valley formed by Kakoma range, and another at a greater distance on
our right; 100 or 200 yards is a common distance between these
villages, which, like those in Londa, or Lunda, are all shaded with
trees of a species of _Ficus indica_. One belongs to Puta, and this
Puta, the paramount chief, sent to say that if we slept there, and
gave him a cloth, he would send men to conduct us next day, and ferry
us across: I was willing to remain, but his people would not lend a
hut, so we came on to the Lake, and no ferry. Probably he thought that
we were going across the Lualaba into Rua.

Lake Moero seems of goodly size, and is flanked by ranges of mountains
on the east and west. Its banks are of coarse sand, and slope
gradually down to the water: outside these banks stands a thick belt
of tropical vegetation, in which fishermen build their huts. The
country called Rua lies on the west, and is seen as a lofty range of
dark mountains: another range of less height, but more broken, stands
along the eastern shore, and in it lies the path to Casembe. We slept
in a fisherman's hut on the north shore. They brought a large fish,
called "monde," for sale; it has a slimy skin, and no scales, a large
head, with tentaculae like the Siluridie, and large eyes: the great
gums in its mouth have a brush-like surface, like a whale's in
miniature: it is said to eat small fish. A bony spine rises on its
back (I suppose for defence), which is 2-1/2 inches long, and as thick
as a quill. They are very retentive of life.

The northern shore has a fine sweep like an unbent bow, and round the
western end flows the water that makes the river Lualaba, which,
before it enters Moero, is the Luapula, and that again (if the most
intelligent reports speak true) is the Chambeze before it enters Lake
Bemba, or Bangweolo.

We came along the north shore till we reached the eastern flanking
range, then ascended and turned south, the people very suspicious,
shutting their gates as we drew near. We were alone, and only nine
persons in all, but they must have had reason for fear. One headman
refused us admission, then sent after us, saying that the man who had
refused admission was not the chief: he had come from a distance, and
had just arrived. It being better to appear friendly than otherwise,
we went back, and were well entertained. Provisions were given when we
went away. Flies abound, and are very troublesome; the