because it was impossible to conjecture what might be the
end of the trouble.
I then called up the head-centres of nuisance, namely,
the chatterboxes, Shedabarume and Saiika; also Villum
(Chirimutu), the leaders of the six Chibero men, who also
of late had been making themselves as unbearable as they
possibly could.
I put the following questions to them.
“ Have I not been good to you ? ”
“ Have I not fed you with meat and meal ? ”
“ Have I not given you limbo and beads, whenever you
have asked ? ”
A murmuring sound was all the reply which was vouchsafed
to these inquiries.
“ Then,” I continued, drawing myself up and trying to
look as imposing as possible, “ what have you done ? You
have tried to take me the wrong road. You refuse to
go farther with me, although you promised you would go
with me to the big river. When I sent boys yesterday to
fetch my goods, you stopped them. You threatened to kill
my boys. Why did you do all this ? ”
A number of lies were the answers to these questions.
They contradicted their own remarks in every way; so I
finished by saying, “ Do you think that the white man is
afraid of you ? ”
The only effect of this conversation was the coming forward
of two Chibero men, who said they would go with me.
But I told them I would not have them with me on any
account. <
I then informed the crowd that I would give them some
limbo and beads to buy food on their way home. This, I
know, was an injudicious offer, because the watchful Kaffir,
might look upon it as an outcome of fear. However I was
more than anxious to get matters amicably arranged as my
supporters were in a lamentable minority.
Taking a quick look towards the Igova men, I saw in a
moment that they were a man or two short of a carrying
number. We were just upon the eve of success or failure.
Hesitation could not wisely be kept up.
I therefore called to Shedabarume and Saiika, whose control
of the Unyamwenda was complete, and who had also
incited the Chibero men to mutiny, offering each man a
yard and a half of white limbo and a handful of beads, and
saying with a Hobson’s choice determination, “ Take this,
for I am going to move the things now.” The pair turned
off scoffing, as they shouted to the others:
“ The cloth is too little, we will not take i t ! ” At the
same time they signed with their arms that they must have
a fathom. Not one of the others moved an inch.
There appeared to be no course now open but to show
these fellows that there was a limit to the white man’s
patience and forbearance. I t was necessary that he should
show the troublesome crowd that he was not afraid.
I pretended to be in a dreadful passion. Like an ancient
Boman wrestler leaping into the arena of combat, I sprang
forward, and suddenly seizing Shedabarume by the neck
was lucky enough to dash him to the ground at one fell
sweep, at the same time tearing off his necklaces of charms,
and literally ripping the waistcloth from his loins.
These I threw into the fire, and stamped upon as they lay
in the red, smouldering embers; Shedabarume by this time
standing absolutely naked before his brethren.
With another bound I was upon the amazed Saiika, and
was equally successful in levelling him, depriving him
of his slender clothes, which I likewise consigned to the
devouring flames.