The immediate object of my second journey to Ukambani was, in accordance with the decision of the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, to found a missionary-station in Ukambani, and thus actually to commence the chain of missions through Africa formerly spoken of. If the Ukambani mission succeeded, it was hoped that then a further missionary-station might be established in the neighbourhood of the snow-mountain situated on the high ground of Yata, some 110 leagues from Rabbi in the village of a Mkamba, Mtangi waNsuki, a man of great influence in the district of Yata, and which being visited by all the caravans which journey either from Ukambani to the seacoast, or from the latter to Ukambani, a missionary stationed there would have frequent opportunities of corresponding with his brethren at Rabbai. The village lies in a plain, which is at least 2000 feet above the level of the sea and contains many Wakamba villages. As the Wakamba-land proper begins with Yata a missionary stationed there could make excursions in every direction, and as at the same time many Wakamba from Yata were settled at Rabbai Mpia, in constant intercourse with their friends and relations in the interior, the Yata people would be obliged to be careful in their treatment of the stranger. If they maltreated him the authorities of the coast would in accordance with the East-African custom, retaliate on the settlers from the interior in their power.
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