He subsequently said Usige, but I wished to know what I was to do when left at the very point where I should be most in need.

He replied, in his silly way, "My people are afraid; they won't go further; get country people," &c.

Moeneghere sent men to Loanda to force a passage through, but his people were repulsed and twenty killed.
Three men came yesterday from Mokamba, the greatest chief in Usige, with four tusks as a present to his friend Moeneghere, and asking for canoes to be sent down to the end of Urundi country to bring butter and other things, which the three men could not bring: this seems an opening, for Mokamba being Moeneghere's friend I shall prefer paying Moeneghere for a canoe to being dependent on Thani's skulkers.

If the way beyond Mokamba is blocked up by the fatal skirmish referred to, I can go from Mokamba to Rumanyika, three or four or more days distant, and get guides from him to lead me back to the main river beyond Loanda, and by this plan only three days of the stream will be passed over unvisited.

Thani would evidently like to receive the payment, but without securing to me the object for which I pay.