Sef came on with me to Mataka's, and introduced me in due form with discharges of gunpowder.

I asked him to come back next morning, and presented three cloths with a request that he would assist the havildar and sepoys, if he met them, with food: this he generously did.
We found Mataka's town situated in an elevated valley surrounded by mountains; the houses numbered at least 1000, and there were many villages around.

The mountains were pleasantly green, and had many trees which the people were incessantly cutting down.

They had but recently come here: they were besieged by Mazitu at their former location west of this; after fighting four days they left unconquered, having beaten the enemy off.
Mataka kept us waiting some time in the verandah of his large square house, and then made his appearance, smiling with his good-natured face.

He is about sixty years of age, dressed as an Arab, and if we may judge from the laughter with which his remarks were always greeted, somewhat humorous.