to clear the way to the
north, but were warmly received by Babemba with arrows; they came back
with one woman captured, and they say that they killed one man: one of
themselves is wounded, and many others in danger: others who went east
were shot at, and wounded too.

_4th December, 1868._--A party went east, and were fain to flee from
the Babemba, the same thing occurred on our west, and to-day _(5th)_
all were called to strengthen the stockade for fear that the enemy may
enter uninvited. The slaves would certainly flee, and small blame to
them though they did. Mpamari proposed to go off north by night, but
his people objected, as even a child crying would arouse the Babemba,
and reveal the flight, so finally he sent off to ask Syde what he
ought to do, whether to retire by day or by night; probably entreating
Syde to come and protect him.

A sort of idol is found in every village in this part, it is of wood,
and represents the features, markings and fashion of the hair of the
inhabitants: some have little huts built for them--others are in
common houses. The Babemba call them _Nkisi_ ("Sancan" of the Arabs):
the people of Rua name one _Kalubi_; the plural, _Tulubi_; and they
present pombe, flour, bhang, tobacco, and light a fire for them to
smoke by. They represent the departed father or mother, and it is
supposed that they are pleased with the offerings made to their
representatives, but all deny that they pray to them. Casembe has very
many of these Nkisi; one with long hair, and named _Motombo_, is
carried in front when he takes the field; names of dead chiefs are
sometimes given to them. I have not met with anyone intelligent enough
to explain if prayers are ever made to anyone; the Arabs who know
their language, say they have no prayers, and think that at death
there is an end of the whole man, but other things lead me to believe
this is erroneous. Slaves laugh at their countrymen, in imitation of
their masters, and will not reveal their real thoughts: one said that
they believed in two Superior Beings--Reza above, who kills people,
and Reza below, who carries them away after death.

_6th December, 1868._--Ten of Syde bin Habib's people came over,
bringing a letter, the contents of which neither Mpamari nor Mohamad
cares to reveal. Some think, with great probability, that he asks,
"Why did you begin a war if you wanted to leave so soon? Did you not
know that the country people would take advantage of your marc