Villages of Waruguru, on the slopes
of the Uruguru Mountains - Mkambaku range - had also suffered
disastrously. If one-fourth of the reports we heard were true,
at least a hundred people must have perished.
The Sultana had fled, and the stronghold of Kimbengo was no more!
A deep canal that he had caused to be excavated when alive, to
bring a branch of the Ungerengeri near his city - which was his glory
and boast - proved the ruin of Simbamwenni. After the destruction
of the place the river had formed a new bed, about 300 yards from
the city. But what astonished us most were the masses of debris
which seemed to be piled everywhere, and the great numbers of trees
that were prostrate; and they all seemed to lie in the same direction,
as if a strong wind had come from the south-west. The aspect of
the Ungerengeri valley was completely changed - from a Paradise
it was converted into a howling waste.
We continued our march until we reached Ulagalla, and it was
evident, as we advanced, that an unusual storm had passed over
the land, for the trees in some places seemed to lie in swathes.
A most fatiguing and long march brought us to Mussoudi, on the
eastern bank of the Ungerengeri; but long before we reached it we
realized that a terrific destruction of human life and property
had occurred.
