We remained six weeks on the shores of the Lake, trying to pick
up some flesh and strength. A party of Arabs came into Ulungu
after us in search of ivory, and hearing that an Englishman had
preceded them, naturally inquired where I was. But our friends,
the Bäulungu, suspecting that mischief was meant, stoutly denied
that they had ever seen anything of the sort; and then became
very urgent that I should go on to one of the inhabited islands
for safety. I regret that I suspected them of intending to make
me a prisoner there, which they could easily have done by
removing the canoes; but when the villagers who deceived the
Arabs told me afterwards with an air of triumph how nicely they
had managed, I saw that they had only been anxious for my
safety. On three occasions the same friendly disposition was
shown; and when we went round the west side of the Lake in order
to examine the arm or branch above referred to, the headman at
the confluence of the Lofu protested so strongly against my
going--the Arabs had been fighting, and I might be mistaken for
an Arab, and killed--that I felt half-inclined to believe him.
Two Arab slaves entered the village the same afternoon in search
of ivory, and confirmed all he had said. We now altered our
course, intending to go south about the district disturbed by
the Arabs. When we had gone 60 miles we heard that the
head-quarters of the Arabs were 22 miles further. They had found
ivory very cheap, and pushed on to the west, till attacked by a
chief named, Nsama, whom they beat in his own stockade. They
were now at a loss which way to turn. On reaching Chitimba's
village (lat. 8° 57' 55" S.; long. 30° 20' E.), I found them
about 600 in all; and, on presenting a letter I had from the
Sultan of Zanzibar, was immediately supplied with provisions,