Men were also sent to Nsama asking him to try and induce Mtema and Chikongo to be friendly and sell ivory and provisions, but he replied that these chiefs were not men under him, and if they thought themselves strong enough to contend against guns he had nothing to say to them.

Other chiefs threatened to run away as soon as they saw the Arabs approaching.

These were assured that we meant to pass through the country alone, and if they gave us guides to show us how, we should avoid the villages altogether, and proceed to the countries where ivory was to be bought; however, the panic was too great, no one would agree to our overtures, and at last when we did proceed a chief on the River Choma fulfilled his threat and left us three empty villages.

There were no people to sell though the granaries were crammed, and it was impossible to prevent the slaves from stealing.
_3rd-4th October, 1867._--When Chikongo heard Tipo Tipo's message about buying ivory he said, "And when did Tipo Tipo place ivory in my country that he comes seeking it ?" Yet he sent a tusk and said "That is all I have, and he is not to come here." Their hostile actions are caused principally by fear.

"If Nsama could not stand before the Malongwana or traders, how can we face them ?" I wished to go on to Moero, but all declare that our ten guns would put all the villages to flight: they are terror-struck.