and settle all matters I liad in heart with himself and
the Arabs in person.
This settled, I next, in this terrible embarrassment,
determined on sending back the last of the Hottentots,
as all four of them, though still wishing to go on with
me, distinctly said they had not the power to continue
the march, for they had never ceased suffering from fever
and jaundice, which had made them all yellow as guineas,
save one, who was too black to change colour. It felt to
me as if I were selling my children, having once undertaken
to lead them through the journey ; but if I did not
send them back then, I never could afterwards, and therefore
I allowed the more substantial feelings of humanity
to overcome these compunctions.
Next morning, then, after giving the Tots over in charge
March back to °f some men to escort them on to Kazé
d2d. quietly, I set out myself with a dozen men,
and the following evening I put up with Mfisa, who told
me Baraka had just left without one man—all his slaves
having become afraid to go, since the news of the Arab
alliance had reached Kazé. Suwarora had ordered his
subjects to run up a line of bomas to protect his frontier,
and had proclaimed his intention to kill every coast-man
who dared attempt to enter Usui. My heart was ready
to sink as I turned into bed, and I was driven to think
of abandoning everybody who was not strong enough to
go on with me carrying a load.
3d to 13th. Baraka, hearing I had arrived, then
came back to me, and confirmed Musa’s words. The
Arabs, too, came flocking in to beg, nay implore' me
to help them out of their difficulties. Many of them
were absolutely ruined, they said; others had their
houses full of stores unemployed. At Ugogo those who
wished to join them were unable to do so, for their porters,
what few were left, were all dying of starvation; and at
that moment Manua Séra was hoverinOg about,' shootinog*
both night and day, all the poor villagers in the district,
or driving them away. Would to God, they said, I would
mediate for them with Manúa Séra they were sure I
would be successful—and then they would give me as
many armed men as I liked. Their folly in all their
actions, I said, proved to me that anything I might
attempt to do would be futile, for their alliance with
the Watuta, when they were not prepared to act, at
once damned them in my eyes as fools. This they in
their terror acknowledged, but said it was not past
remedy, if I would join them, to counteract what had
been done in that matter. Suffice it now to say, after
a long conversation, arguing all the pros and cons over,
I settled I would write out all the articles of a treaty
of peace, by which they should be liable to have all
their property forfeited on the coast if they afterwards
broke faith ; and I begged them to call the next day
and sign it.
They were no sooner gone, however, than Músa assured
me they had killed old Maúla of Bübúga in the most
treacherous manner, as follows :—Khamis, who is an Arab
of most gentlemanly aspect, on returning from Ugogo
attended by slaves, having heard that Maula was desirous
of adjusting a peace, invited him with his son to do so.
When old Maula came as desired, bringing his son with
Tiim, and a suitable offering of ivory and cattle, the Arab
induced them both to kneel down and exchange blood
with him, when, by a previously concerted arrangement,
TTTia.mis had them shot down by his slaves. This disgusting
story made me quite sorry, when next day the Arabs
arrived, expecting that I should attempt to help them ;
but as the matter had gone so far, I asked them, in the
first place, how they could hope Manua Séra would have
any faith in them when they were so treacherous, or trust
to my help, since they had killed Maula, who was my
protégé ? They all replied in a breath, “ Oh, let the past