Page 59 - SoMJ Vol 74 - No 1, 2021

The Mwasi Expedition 1895 49

king of the Angoni. Zoli then promised that he would never again raid and would
conform to the laws of the country and as testimony that he would keep his
promise he gave me a tusk of ivory and two cows.
The tusk weighed 79lbs.
The camping ground that night was about 3 miles from Zoli’s boma.
The following day about 10 a.m. we reached Angoniland and at 3 p.m.
reached the mission station Kongwe, an outstation of the Dutch Mission at Mwera.
The population of Angoniland is very great indeed, in no place in the whole of
British Central Africa is it so large, and everywhere we were received in a most
friendly manner.
We encamped on the night of the 5 instant five miles from
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Msakembewa’s village. Msakembewa is one of Chiwere’s head chiefs. On the 6
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instant at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the column arrived at the headquarters of the
Dutch Mission, Mwera, where we were most kindly received by Rev. W. H.
Murray; I had sent word to him the day beforehand. Mr. Murray was most anxious
that I should go and see the Chief Chiwere (whose village is situated only 2 miles
from the mission). He had heard of the troops being in the neighbourhood and he
had also heard of the projected war in the chief Tambala’s country and according
to Mr. Murray and the rest of the mission, he was beginning to think that it was
time he assembled his impis together. The missionaries in consequence were in
great alarm. Having sent on the column under Sergt. Major Devoy to the camping
ground about 5 miles from the mission. Mr. Murray and I accompanied by an
interpreter went to see Chiwere. The interview was prolonged but a most friendly
one. [The] chief is a tall fine-looking man but very surly. He was quite satisfied
with my assurances as regarded the troops being in his country and I was perfectly
satisfied with his promises with regard to the mission. With regard to the raids on
the Achewa, he assured me that he had lately had several complaints about his
headman Msakembewa having raided Zoli and he promised me to go and see him
about it. He said he did not wish for war or for any more raids.
Chiwere is most amenable but I am inclined to distrust two of his
headmen who according to Mr. Murray are always giving him bad advice.
I should also state that in my opinion the missionaries though they live
close to him, give way to him to an unnecessary extent.
The column arrived at Kupira in the evening of the following day, and
on the 8 . instant arrived at Fort Rifu, where Captain Stewart took over command.
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During the whole of the march from Mwasi’s the weather had been of the very
worst description and until our arrival at the camp near Zoli the men had not had
a chance of drying their clothes. There were several cases of fever among the
troops, though happily not severe. For three days after leaving Mwasi, the road
led us through one continual swamp and for the greater part of the time we had to
wade through mud up to our knees. During the last three days we had to climb up
and down the Angoni Hills and the climbing in some places was very stiff indeed.