ion of
silver, and, if it ever was worked by the natives, it is remarkable that
they have entirely lost the knowledge of it, and can not distinguish
between silver and tin. In connection with these basaltic dikes, it may
be mentioned that when I reached Tete I was informed of the existence of
a small rapid in the river near Chicova; had I known this previously,
I certainly would not have left the river without examining it. It is
called Kebrabasa, and is described as a number of rocks which jut out
across the stream. I have no doubt but that it is formed by some of
the basaltic dikes which we now saw, for they generally ran toward that
point. I was partly influenced in leaving the river by a wish to avoid
several chiefs in that direction, who levy a heavy tribute on those
who pass up or down. Our path lay along the bed of the Nake for some
distance, the banks being covered with impenetrable thickets. The
villages are not numerous, but we went from one to the other, and were
treated kindly. Here they call themselves Bambiri, though the general
name of the whole nation is Banyai. One of our guides was an inveterate
talker, always stopping and asking for pay, that he might go on with
a merry heart. I thought that he led us in the most difficult paths in
order to make us feel his value, for, after passing through one thicket
after another, we always came into the bed of the Nake again, and as
that was full of coarse sand, and the water only ankle deep, and as hot
as a foot-bath from the powerful rays of the sun, we were all completely
tired out. He likewise gave us a bad character at every village we
passed, calling to them that they were to allow him to lead us astray,
as we were a bad set. Sekwebu knew every word he said, and, as he became
intolerable, I dismissed him, giving him six feet of calico I had bought
from native traders, and telling him that his tongue was a nuisance.
It is in general best, when a scolding is necessary, to give it in
combination with a present, and then end it by good wishes. This fellow
went off smiling, and my men remarked, "His tongue is cured now." The
country around the Nake is hilly, and the valleys covered with tangled
jungle. The people who live in this district have reclaimed their
gardens from the forest, and the soil is extremely fertile. The Nake
flows northerly, and then to the east. It is 50 or 60 yards wide, but
during most of the year is dry, affording water only by digging in the