The lower stratum of clouds moves quickly from the N.W.; the upper move slowly from S.E., and tell of rain near.
_23rd January, 1873._--We have to send back to villages of Chitunkue to buy food.

It was not reported to me that the country in front was depopulated for three days, so I send a day back.

I don't know where we are, and the people are deceitful in their statements; unaccountably so, though we deal fairly and kindly.

Rain, rain, rain as if it never tired on this watershed.

The showers show little in the gauge, but keep everything and every place wet and sloppy.
Our people return with a wretched present from Chitunkue; bad flour and a fowl, evidently meant to be rejected.