the Wakoongoo, or officers in charge of from fifty to
several hundred men, have power to order these punishments,
and even to put the offenders to death.
13 th.—Halt. Twelve men are sent in search of
Speke. A Seedee had fever from bathing after noon,
which is thought by them an unhealthy time. Out
shooting after “ noble buck,” with a dozen villagers as
guides. The animals were very wild; and the bogs,
with a broiling sun overhead, were disagreeable.
lith .—Halt. Fever and ague all night. Frij and
all Seedees believe that the Jews, or Yahoodee, living
in Calcutta, seize people, and tie them up by the heels
till blood- falls from them into a dish, when they are
released, but rarely survive. The blood so obtained is
prepared, and sold as a most valuable chest-complaint
medicine called Moomeean. Frij had, while in Calcutta,
once been seized, but escaped while the Jew
went up a ladder. Also one of his comrades he had
seen tied up by the heels, gave evidence to the police,
and had the Yahoodee put in prison for eighteen
months. These silly stories helped to pass the time.
The cowherd Manua knows his duty thoroughly,
for the day he herds the cattle he brings them home
full and sleek - looking, being acquainted with the
grasses the animals like best—those that are green
and succulent, in deep shade. The other herd, not
knowing a cow from a horse, drives in the cattle from
their grazing as lean in appearance as when they
went out.
We lost three cows some days ago; and Mabruk,
who keeps count of them, now stands every night,
with his rope in his hand, at the door of the cowfold,
passing a knot as each cow goes inside; in this way
he counts easier than by the usual enumeration, and
the animals walk in to enjoy the volumes of smoke
rising from the fire in. the centre of their fold.
15th.—Halt. Feel anxious for news; by noon it
came. Speke could not be found; he had gone up
the river. The chief Wahuma officer would not give
an audience to my Mussulmans, in case the sight of
them would make his cows run dry; and men who
sat upon chairs before kings--'meaning the “white
men ”—would not be received in Unyoro.
Shot two guinea-fowl with one bullet, and also two
“ n’soono,” or noble bucks, accidentally with one ball.
The second one could not be found, although he went
away dangling his broken leg, followed by dogs. I
stood in admiration of the villager who, with his
spear-head, skinned and cut up the animal into saddle,
brisket, leg, and other joints, laying them on the pure
leaves of plantain as quietly and cleverly, and with
far less mess, than is to be seen at the abattoirs of
Paris.
16th^-Halt. The time has arrived for Kamarasi’s
reply, and none has come. My men all press me to
retire. There is not one in the camp who wishes to
go the north or Egyptian route; and I long most
anxiously for Speke. Here we are, not more than
seven days, it is said, from the place where boats lie
to take us down the Nile; yet nothing will move
those around me to push on. I t is most tantalising.
I asked Budja to join me in forcing the road, but he
could not be induced to leave his country. “ Let me
then communicate with Captain Speke, wherever he
is.” It was impossible, as his men had no permission
to visit Oogoongoo, on the other side of M’tessa’s,