g, Kidgwiga,
at the head of his brave army, made one of their theatrical charges on
"Bana" with spear and shield, swearing they would never desert him on
the march, but would die to a man if it were necessary; and if they
deserted him, then might they be deprived of their heads, or of other
personal possessions not much less valuable.

Just as we were ready for crossing the river, a line of Kidi men was
descried filing through the jungle on the opposite side, making their
way for a new-moon visit to Rionga, who occasionally leads them into
battle against Ukero. The last time they fought, two men only were
killed on Kamrasi's side, whilst nine fell on Rionga's. There was
little done besides crossing, for the last cow was brought across as
sunset--the ferrying-toll for the whole being one cow, besides a present
of beads to the head officer. Kidgwiga's party sacrificed two kids, one
on either side the river, flaying them with one long cut each down their
breasts and bellies. These animals were then, spread-eagle fashion,
laid on their backs upon grass and twigs, to be steeped over by the
travellers, that their journey might be prosperous; and the spot
selected for the ordeal was chosen in deference to the Mzimu, or
spirit--a sort of wizard or ecclesiastical patriarch, whose functions
were devoted to the falls.

After a soaking night, we were kept waiting till noon for the forty
porters ordered by Kamrasi, to carry our property to the vessels
wherever they might be. Only twenty-five men arrived, notwithstanding
the wife and one slave belonging to a local officer, who would not
supply the men required of him, were seized and confiscated by Ukero, of
Wire. We now mustered twenty Wanguana, twenty-five country porters, and
thirty-one of Kidgwiga's "children"--making a total, with ourselves, of
seventy-eight souls. By a late arrival a message came from Kamrasi.
Its import was, that we must defer the march, as it was reported the
refractory brother Rionga harboured designs of molesting us on the way,
and therefore the king conceived it prudent to clear the road by first
fighting him. Without heeding this cunning advice, we made a short march
across swamps, and through thick jungle and long grasses, which proved
anything but pleasant--wet and labouring hard all the way.

It was a rainy day, and we had still to toil on fighting with the
grasses. We marched up the wet margin of swamp all day, crossing the
water at a fork near the