Some of the burying-grounds are very well arranged, and well cared for; this was noticed at Chitanda, and more particularly at a village on the southern shore of the fine harbour at Cape Maclear.Wide and neat paths were made in the burying-ground on its eastern and southern sides.A grand old fig-tree stood at the north-east corner, and its wide-spreading branches threw their kindly shade over the last resting-place of the dead.Several other magnificent trees grew around the hallowed spot.Mounds were raised as they are at home, but all lay north and south, the heads apparently north.The graves of the sexes were distinguished by the various implements which the buried dead had used in their different employments during life; but they were all broken, as if to be employed no more.A piece of fishing-net and a broken paddle told where a fisherman lay.The graves of the women had the wooden mortar, and the heavy pestle used in pounding the corn, and the basket in which the meal is sifted, while all had numerous broken calabashes and pots arranged around them.The idea that the future life is like the present does not appear to prevail; yet a banana-tree had been carefully planted at the head of several of the graves; the fruit might be considered an offering to those who still possess human tastes.The people of the neighbouring villages were friendly and obliging, and willingly brought us food for sale.
Pursuing our exploration, we found that the northern part of the lake was the abode of lawlessness and bloodshed.The Mazite, or Mazitu, live on the highlands, and make sudden swoops on the villages of the plains.They are Zulus who came originally from the south, inland of Sofalla and Inhambane; and are of the same family as those who levy annual tribute from the Portuguese on the Zambesi.All the villages north of Mankambira's (lat. 11 degrees 44 minutes south) had been recently destroyed by these terrible marauders, but they were foiled in their attacks upon that chief and Marenga.The thickets and stockades round their villages enabled the bowmen to pick off the Mazitu in security, while they were afraid to venture near any place where they could not use their shields.Beyond Mankambira's we saw burned villages, and the putrid bodies of many who had fallen by Mazitu spears only a few days before.Our land party were afraid to go further.This reluctance to proceed without the presence of a white man was very natural, because bands of the enemy who had ravaged the country were supposed to be still roaming about; and if these marauders saw none but men of their own colour, our party might forthwith be attacked.Compliance with their request led to an event which might have been attended by very serious consequences.Dr.
Livingstone got separated from the party in the boat for four days.
Having taken the first morning's journey along with them, and directing the boat to call for him in a bay in sight, both parties proceeded north.In an hour Dr. Livingstone and his party struck inland, on approaching the foot of the mountains which rise abruptly from the lake.Supposing that they had heard of a path behind the high range which there forms the shore, those in the boat held on their course; but it soon began to blow so fresh that they had to run ashore for safety.While delayed a couple of hours, two men were sent up the hills to look for the land party, but they could see nothing of them, and the boat party sailed as soon as it was safe to put to sea, with the conviction that the missing ones would regain the lake in front.
In a short time a small island or mass of rocks was passed, on which were a number of armed Mazitu with some young women, apparently their wives.The headman said that he had been wounded in the foot by Mankambira, and that they were staying there till he could walk to his chief, who lived over the hills.They had several large canoes, and it was evident that this was a nest of lake pirates, who sallied out by night to kill and plunder.They reported a path behind the hills, and, the crew being reassured, the boat sailed on.A few miles further, another and still larger band of pirates were fallen in with, and hundreds of crows and kites hovered over and round the rocks on which they lived.Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone, though ordered in a voice of authority to come ashore, kept on their course.
A number of canoes then shot out from the rocks and chased them.One with nine strong paddlers persevered for some time after all the others gave up the chase.A good breeze, however, enabled the gig to get away from them with ease.After sailing twelve or fifteen miles, north of the point where Dr. Livingstone had left them, it was decided that he must be behind; but no sooner had the boat's head been turned south, than another gale compelled her to seek shelter in a bay.Here a number of wretched fugitives from the slave-trade on the opposite shore of the lake were found; the original inhabitants of the place had all been swept off the year before by the Mazitu.
In the deserted gardens beautiful cotton was seen growing, much of it had the staple an inch and a half long, and of very fine quality.
Some of the plants were uncommonly large, deserving to be ranked with trees.
On their trying to purchase food, the natives had nothing to sell except a little dried cassava-root, and a few fish:and they demanded two yards of calico for the head only of a large fish.When the gale admitted of their return, their former pursuers tried to draw them ashore by asserting that they had quantities of ivory for sale.Owing to a succession of gales, it was the fourth day from parting that the boat was found by Dr. Livingstone, who was coming on in search of it with only two of his companions.
