ur praises became an ode of respectable length. When distance
from home compelled his return he expressed his regret at leaving us, and
was, of course, paid for his useful and pleasant flatteries. Another,
though a less gifted son of song, belonged to the Batoka of our own
party. Every evening, while the others were cooking, talking, or
sleeping, he rehearsed his songs, containing a history of everything he
had seen in the land of the white men, and on the way back. In
composing, extempore, any new piece, he was never at a loss; for if the
right word did not come he halted not, but eked out the measure with a
peculiar musical sound meaning nothing at all. He accompanied his
recitations on the _sansa_, an instrument figured in the woodcut, the
nine iron keys of which are played with the thumbs, while the fingers
pass behind to hold it. The hollow end and ornaments face the breast of
the player. Persons of a musical turn, if too poor to buy a sansa, may
be seen playing vigorously on an instrument made with a number of thick
corn-stalks sewn together, as a sansa frame, and keys of split bamboo,
which, though making but little sound, seems to soothe the player
himself. When the instrument is played with a calabash as a sounding
board, it emits a greater volume of sound. Pieces of shells and tin are
added to make a jingling accompaniment, and the calabash is also
ornamented.

After we had passed up, a party of slaves, belonging to the two native
Portuguese who assassinated the chief, Mpangwe, and took possession of
his lands at Zumbo, followed on our footsteps, and representing
themselves to be our "children," bought great quantities of ivory from
the Bawe, for a few coarse beads a tusk. They also purchased ten large
new canoes to carry it, at the rate of six strings of red or white beads,
or two fathoms of grey calico, for each canoe, and, at the same cheap
rate, a number of good-looking girls.

CHAPTER VII.

The Victoria Falls of the Zambesi--Marvellous grandeur of the
Cataracts--The Makololo's town--The Chief Sekeletu.

During the time we remained at Motunta a splendid meteor was observed to
lighten the whole heavens. The observer's back was turned to it, but on
looking round the streak of light was seen to remain on its path some
seconds. This streak is usually explained to be only the continuance of
the impression made by the shining body on the retina. This cannot be,
as in this case the meteor w