52 WATUSI MODE OF SALUTATION.
class one would cost double, or £2. Men milked them
into a large crucible of wood or gourd in an open
yard; the hind-legs were tied above the hocks with a
thong of leather; one of their handsome women sat
on the other side with a bough beating off the flies, and
with a stick to keep away the calf which stood at its
mother’s head, a boy sometimes assisting. Should the
calf die, its skin is stuffed and placed before the cow,
otherwise she refuses her milk. The Wanyamuezi look
with great respect on this people. When two of them
meet, the Wezee puts both his palms together, these
are gently clasped by the Watusi, a few inaudible
words are repeated, and they pass on. The form of
salutation when a Watusi meets one of his women
senior to himself is gentle and pleasing; he places his
hands on her arms below her shoulders, while her
hands hang by her side.
The way in which an African leads a goat or cow
is different from the manner in this country. The
fore-leg of the goat is held up by the man, who walks
briskly along as if he led a child. An unruly cow is
never tied by the head: a man walks behihd it, having
hold of a rope tied tightly round its hock; this
plan seems to subdue or Rareyfy the animal most completely.
For several days after our arrival, different
Arab residents sent us presents of eggs, some coffee, a
fatted cow, rice, or a goat—a very pleasing custom,
which was intended as their call upon us. We in
return sent each a handsome cloth, which they valued
very much. This friendly ceremony over, they freely
asked our advice when necessary.
For two years, since the death of the chief of the
country, the people of Kazeh had been fighting against
7
DEATH OF SNAY, AN ARAB CHIEF. 53
the real heir to uphold the puppet appointed by them
in his stead. They had killed 300 natives, seized all
their cattle and goats, and lost two Arabs and sixty
slaves. A severe defeat occurred while we were there,
Snay, the chief Arab, and six others, with followers,
being killed. A panic ensued, and Speke was requested
to patch up a peace by inviting the rebel Manua Sera
into Kazeh to attend a conference. “ Once,” they
said, “ at our mercy, we can murder him! ” We were
shocked at hearing this, but Moossah assured us that it
was no uncommon occurrence with them. The news
of their defeat was brought us by a man who may be
allowed to tell his own story:—“ I was one of five in
charge of cattle; the rebel himself killed three of us;
and as I never fight, but run, I threw away everything,
and saved my life by coming here.” He had a
very good sword by him. “ Where did you get that
sword?” “Oh! it belongs to an Arab who was
killed; I picked it up.”
It seems that Snay was a very brave fellow, who
in the midst of every fight whipped his slaves to prevent
them from running away; but this time they
got dispersed after plunder: he was left unprotected;
and being old and too proud to run like his slaves,
he fell a victim. After this severe defeat many
plans were proposed for affording relief. “ The
single cannon must be sent in the morning.” Moossah
was tired of assisting them. “ The Arabs stick at
nothing; they had expended twenty barrels of his gunpowder
and lost him five slaves; a beautiful gun of his
was lost by his late partner Jaffir in this last fight.
Jaffir had just been killed, and yet they still ask for
a id ! ” So with true Indian parsimony he despatched