That night, about 11 P.M., we were startled by the roar of a lion,
in close proximity to the camp. Soon it was joined by another,
and another still, and the novelty of the thing kept me awake.
I peered through the gate of the camp, and endeavoured to sight
a rifle - my little Winchester, in the accuracy of which I had
perfect confidence; but, alas! for the cartridges, they might have
been as well filled with sawdust for all the benefit I derived from
them. Disgusted with the miserable ammunition, I left the lions
alone, and turned in, with their roaring as a lullaby.
That terrestrial paradise for the hunter, the valley of the pellucid
Mtambu, was deserted by us the next morning for the settlement
commonly known to the Wakawendi as Imrera's, with as much unconcern
as though it were a howling desert. The village near which we
encamped was called Itaga, in the district of Rusawa. As soon as
we had crossed the River Mtambu we had entered Ukawendi, commonly
called "Kawendi" by the natives of the country.
The district of Rusawa is thickly populated. The people are quiet
and well-disposed to strangers, though few ever come to this region
from afar. One or two Wasawahili traders visit it every year or so
from Pumburu and Usowa; but very little ivory being obtained
from the people, the long distance between the settlements serves
to deter the regular trader from venturing hither.
