War and slavery have driven them to seek refuge on the sand-banks.

A venerable-looking old man hailed us as we passed, and asked us if we were going by without speaking.

We landed, and he laid down his gun and came to us; he was accompanied by his brother, who shook hands with every one in the boat, as he had seen people do at Kilwa.

"Then you have seen white men before ?" we said.
"Yes," replied the polite African, "but never people of your quality." These men were very black, and wore but little clothing.

A young woman, dressed in the highest style of Makonde fashion, punting as dexterously as a man could, brought a canoe full of girls to see us.