The people are
mightily gratified at having a tall fellow to measure the cloth for
them.
It pleases them even better than cutting it by a tape-line -
though very few men of six feet high can measure off their own length
with their outstretched arms. Here, where Arab traders have been,
the cubit called mokono, or elbow, begins to take the place of the
fathom in use further south. The measure is taken from the point of
the bent elbow to the end of the middle finger.
We found, on visiting Muazi on the following day, that he was as
frank and straightforward as could reasonably be expected. He did
not wish us to go to the N.N.W., because he carries on a considerable
trade in ivory there. We were anxious to get off the slave route, to
people not visited before by traders; but Muazi naturally feared,
that if we went to what is said to be a well-watered country,
abounding in elephants, we might relieve him of the ivory which he
now obtains at a cheap rate, and sells to the slave-traders as they
pass Kasungu to the east; but at last he consented, warning us that
"great difficulty would be experienced in obtaining food - a district
had been depopulated by slave wars - and a night or two must be spent
in it; but he would give us good guides, who would go three days with
us, before turning, and then further progress must depend on
ourselves." Some of our men having been ill ever since we mounted
this highland plain, we remained two days with Muazi.
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