That they flowed into the lake there was no doubt - as I could see
by the trickling waters in some few places - and they lay exactly
on the equator. Rising out of the valley, I found all the
country just as hilly as before, but many of the rush-drains
going to northward; and in the dells were such magnificent trees,
they quite took me by surprise. Clean-trunked, they towered up
just as so many great pillars, and then spread out their high
branches like a canopy over us. I thought of the blue gums of
Australia, and believed these would beat them. At the village of
Mbule we were gracefully received by the local officer, who
brought a small present, and assured me that the king was in a
nervous state of excitement, always asking after me. Whilst
speaking he trembled, and he was so restless he could never sit
still.
Up and down we went on again through this wonderful country,
surprisingly rich in grass, cultivation, and trees. Watercourses
were as frequent as ever, though not quite so troublesome to the
traveller, as they were more frequently bridged with poles or
palm-tree trunks.
This, the next place we arrived at, was N'yamgundu's own
residence, where I stopped a day to try and shoot buffaloes.
Maula here had the coolness to tell me he must inspect all the
things I had brought for presentation to the king, as he said it
was the custom; after which he would hurry on and inform his
majesty.
