Unfortunately, the chief district officer, Mlondo, was from home, but we took possession of his huts--clean, extensive, and tidily kept--facing the river, and felt as if a residence here would do one good.

Delays and subterfuges, however, soon came to damp our spirits.

The acting officer was sent for, and asked for the boats; they were all scattered, and could not be collected for a day or two; but, even if they were at hand, no boat ever went up or down the river.

The chief was away and would be sent for, as the king often changed his orders, and, after all, might not mean what had been said.

The district belonged to the Sakibobo, and no representative of his had come here.