was unwilling to accede to this, because although I had
plenty of cartridges my supply of loose powder was scant.
The case seeming to be urgent, however, I gave one flask,
knowing that he would ask for more. This, of course, he
did, and then I repeated the donation. Then I lay down
again, but in a little while Earemba returned, declaring
that the chiefs brother must get cloth, and signing with
his arms that he asked for five fathoms.
I felt that this was not a matter of trading, but was a
concession to satisfy a branch of royalty; so I tore off the
cloth, thinking, with a sigh of relief, how glad I was to
get rid of the grasping nocturnal nuisance.
But there was no rest for m e ! I had hardly lain down
when I felt a sharp tug at my blanket. This time both
John and Earemba stood before me. John was evidently
very much disturbed and said:
“ Geeve it urn, master, geeve it urn! De boys is all
frightened; dese people is fighting wid us. De boys will
run, master! ”
This fairly awoke me. Looking out I could see all our
boys sitting up, not one of them being asleep. The news
was then repeated that all the boys were afraid: the
people they said would fight with us, if I did not yield
to their requests. Consequently I gave out four yards
more.
I then went over to the fire and sat there, my object being
to endeavour to instil a little confidence into the wavering
men. Things were beginning to look serious. I told John
as a last chance, to try and find out quietly whether the
boys would go forward early in the morning, and we would
soon pass out of the country. This proposal I need hardly
say was not a success.
They were going home in the morning ! If they went in
the direction I wished them to go they would surely be
killed by the tribes near the river.
A heavy dew had been falling. I could see the reputed
brother of the chief clearly by the light of the fire. He had
a very numerous following of armed men, whose weapons,
all wet with the globules of dew, glistened jewel like in the
moonlight rays.
I would have liked very much to have entered into a
conversation with this man; but considering his hostile
attitude, and the peremptory tone he adopted when asking
for more cloth, a demand which was repeated ad nauseam,
I kept aloof. After coming out of the tent I had to give
Viim more, and from these frequent concessions it might be
construed that the white man was afraid. Again and again
he asked for powder, but this demand was refused point
blank.
Morning dawned beautiful, clear, and calm, contrasting
strongly with the distracting tumult of our camp during the
night. Meat was very scarce, so it was necessary that some
should be had. Therefore I started in pursuit of game,
although I did not like the idea of leaving the camp in the
present crisis. One of the Makorikori stragglers, who were
outside the skerm, was picked up through his having been
in conversation with Sagwam. Taking him with us we soon
came upon eland spoor. The boy said he saw a big bull
eland close to u s ; but the forest was very thick, and it
was impossible to get a shot.
My guide was in a great state of excitement as we stalked
along. Unfortunately the eland must have sighted us, for
a rushing sound and a crashing of the bushes quickly told
us that all chances of bagging were gone like the wind. I
would have continued hunting, even after this disappointment,
but was doubtful about the expediency of leaving