to view, were the
finest negro family I ever saw. We were much pleased with the frank
friendship and liberality of this man and his wife. She asked me to
bring her a cloth from the white man's country; but, when we returned,
poor Mozinkwa's wife was in her grave, and he, as is the custom, had
abandoned trees, garden, and huts to ruin. They can not live on a spot
where a favorite wife has died, probably because unable to bear the
remembrance of the happy times they have spent there, or afraid to
remain in a spot where death has once visited the establishment. If ever
the place is revisited, it is to pray to her, or make some offering.
This feeling renders any permanent village in the country impossible.

We learned from Mozinkwa that Soana Molopo was the elder brother of
Katema, but that he was wanting in wisdom; and Katema, by purchasing
cattle and receiving in a kind manner all the fugitives who came to
him, had secured the birthright to himself, so far as influence in the
country is concerned. Soana's first address to us did not savor much of
African wisdom.

FRIDAY, 10TH. On leaving Mozinkwa's hospitable mansion we crossed
another stream, about forty yards wide, in canoes. While this tedious
process was going on, I was informed that it is called the Mona-Kalueje,
or brother of Kalueje, as it flows into that river; that both the
Kalueje and Livoa flow into the Leeba; and that the Chifumadze, swollen
by the Lotembwa, is a feeder of that river also, below the point where
we lately crossed it. It may be remarked here that these rivers were now
in flood, and that the water was all perfectly clear. The vegetation
on the banks is so thickly planted that the surface of the earth is not
abraded by the torrents. The grass is laid flat, and forms a protection
to the banks, which are generally a stiff black loam. The fact of canoes
being upon them shows that, though not large, they are not like the
southern rivulets, which dry up during most of the year, and render
canoes unnecessary.

As we were crossing the river we were joined by a messenger from Katema,
called Shakatwala. This person was a sort of steward or factotum to his
chief. Every chief has one attached to his person, and, though generally
poor, they are invariably men of great shrewdness and ability. They
act the part of messengers on all important occasions, and possess
considerable authority in the chief's household. Shakatwala informed
us that Katema had not re