Upon my return to the capital, having visited all the more
likely places for a suitable site, I determined to build my cottage
_on the hill where it now stands. Some passages from‘the diary
of this period will show how I proceeded.
| COMMENCE BUILDING.
April 5th.—Began clearing the ground, my object being to
put my cottage up before Cinyama goes to the coast. Though
Msidi promises me every help from his people, they are not so
accustomed to build as the Ovimbundu. While some of the
men who have come with me return to Nana Kandundu, with
extra porters provided by Msidi, others will remain here to help
in building. :

After measuring out a piece of ground 30 feet by 15 I began
to dig a deep trench for the foundation. The lads found nothing
but rock under the surface, so that it was laborious work picking
and digging a trench deep enough to well imbed the poles which


177


Stay in Garenganze.
