134 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

quite dark, and then used to sneak out to the house of one of his favourites and spend the night there.

I found that the Arabs here had a curious idea that the rocks, of which there are many round Tabora, produce fever. On asking Sheik bin Nasib how it was there was so much ague at Tabora, " Don't you see those ? " he said, pointing to the rocks ; " those are the cause of it." I believe Humboldt speaks of a similar idea being entertained by the South Americans.

On the evening previous to my departure, Kisesa had asked me if I should be willing to conduct to Uyui some of Said bin Salim's wives and children, who had been left behind when the ex-governor had to flee, and of course I consented. So in the morning I went out to a small village on the edge of the forest, which lies between Unyanyembe and Uyui, and there I found the women and children with a number of servants. The women were not in a condition to ride, and wished to make the long march at night, to avoid the heat of the day, and accordingly we started about six o'clock P.M. and marched on slowly for several hours, but finally were compelled by a violent thunderstorm to halt. We reached Uyui about half-past nine the following morning, receiving a most enthusiastic welcome from Said bin Salim's people, who had thoughtfully prepared for us an excellent breakfast. The king of Uyui, Majemba Gana, gave me a good tembe