st, and fog, and blinding rain, while Simba and Moto
continued to keep her before the wind, the canoe was being driven
towards an inhabited portion of the shore. The rain ceased for a
moment, and the mist cleared away, only to allow the crew in the canoe
to see whither they were drifting, and to allow a number of people
crowded under a temporary shed on the shore to see them.

"Who were these people?" thought the fear-stricken fugitives. "What
would be their reception?" But they had no time to think more before
they were in the surf, and a mighty wave came and struck the paddle from
Simba's hand, and spun the canoe round broadside to a second wave which
lifted it to an immense height, and dashed it upside down; while a third
came on irresistibly, and sent it and its late crew far on the beach,
stunned and bruised, where, before they could arise to their feet, they
were pounced upon by the shore people, to be enslaved once more. Oh,
misery! The shore people turned out to be a nomadic tribe of Wazavila--
or Wazavira, as the Arabs pronounce the name--who erect their huts
anywhere between southern Unyamwezi and Liemba, from Usowa to the
borders of Ututa. Had Simba and his companions been able to travel
three days longer they might have reached friendly Usowa easily, but
here, almost on the threshold of the friendly region, they had fallen
into the power of the disreputable Wazavila freebooters, Simba struggled
desperately, but neither he nor any of his companions had the slightest
chance against the numbers that surrounded them. They were bound hand
and foot, and carried under the roof of the shed, where the white bodies
and straight hair of the Arabs elicited many a wondering comment, and
provoked as much surprise as they had done amongst the Watuta when they
were first captured.

The chief of these rovers was called Casema. His people, including
women and children, numbered about three hundred. About four months
before the period at which they are introduced to us by this capture of
our unfortunate heroes, they had started from their home, Benzani, a
district which lay somewhere north of the Bungwa River, and east of
Usowa, to which they now intended to return, having secured such prizes.

Simba and Moto heard these remarks, as the chief consulted with his
people about the plan of action, and felt convinced they need not
despair, that the prospects of an escape eventually from these people
were exceedingly brig