A HOSTILE MEETING. 41 waved its loaded ears in the morning breeze; the sun lighted up in a thousand different colours the dewdrops which hung upon every leaf; flickering shadows danced around us. The houses were, however, closed by strong reed doors; their occupants were not to be seen, and soon a report spread that we were to be attacked. We therefore continued our march in close order through the high grass, which would have served as an excellent ambush for an enemy, but no enemy appeared.

' A short march over grass-clad hills, where now and then we caught a glimpse of a distant mountain, and through open mimosa woods, fantastically lit up in the twilight, took us to Kirembwe, where, notwithstanding my protestations, we were to remain for the night.

After a long search among the bananas, we at last found suitable huts, and soon after the cries and shouts of the tipsy porters and chiefs were heard, together with the tomtoming of their drums; like fighting-cocks the chiefs sprang towards each other, brandishing their two spears in a threatening attitude and shrieking furiously. After several minutes, however, both returned in a brotherly manner to the gourd bottles, and a deep draught rewarded them for their exertions. It was a regular beer procession. From village to village, or rather from beer-jug to beer-jug, we marched, on this the thirteenth day since leaving Mrili.

At midday I was engaged in collecting insects and worms, when all of a sudden a spear struck the ground beside me, and at the same time several shots rang through the banana grove. Being completely unarmed, I returned to my hut, and almost close to my door a man fell, pierced through the right kidney by a spear. ‘Two other men were badly wounded directly afterwards by bullets. In a few minutes our encampment resembled a fortification, for every one was sensible enough to return to it at once. The doors were blocked by hurriedly-torn-up banana trees, and in all the enclosures huts for sentries were erected. Our still halfdrunken people stalked about fully armed, and my two chiefs, by this time thoroughly intoxicated, made a brave show with their long guns. The patrols, who had been sent out in all directions, soon returned, bringing with them some ten women