to give himself law, said, “ No; I'must askBana” (master)
“ first, as we do everything by order ; this is not fighting
at all.”
The men being ready, file-firing was ordered, and then
the young chief came into my tent. I motioned him to
take my chair, which, after he sat down upon it, I was
very sorry for, as he stained the seat all black with the
running colour of one of the new barsati cloths he had got
from me, which, to improve its appearance, he had saturated
with stinking butter, and had tied round his loins.
A fine-looking man of about thirty, he wore the butt-end
of a large sea-shell cut in a circle, and tied on his forehead,
for a coronet, and sundry small saltiana antelope horns,
stuffed with magic powder, to keep off the evil eye. His
attendants all fawned on him, and snapped their fingers
whenever he sneezed. After passing the first compliment,
I gave him a barsati^ as my token of friendship, and asked
him what he saw when he went to the Masai country.
He assured me “ that there were two lakes, and not one
for, on going from Usoga to the Masai country, he crossed
over a broad strait, which connected the big N’yanza with
another one at its north-east comer. Fearfully impetuous,
as soon as this answer was given, he said, “ Now I have
replied to your questions, do you show me all the things
you have got, for I want to see everything, and be very
good friends. I did not see you the first day, because you
being a stranger, it was necessary 1 should first look into
the magic horn to see if all was right and safe; and now
I can assure you that, whilst I saw I was safe, I also saw
that your road would be prosperous. I am indeed delighted
to see you, for neither my father, nor any of my
forefathers, ever were honoured with the company of a
wrhite man in all their lives.”
My guns, clothes, and everything were then inspected,
and begged for in the most importunate manner. He
asked for the picture-books, examined the birds with
intense delight—even trying to insert under their feathers
his long royal finger-nails, which are grown like a Chinaman’s
by these chiefs, to show they have a privilege to
live on meat. Then turning to the animals, he roared
over each one in turn as he examined them, and called
out their names. My bull’s-eye lantern he coveted so
much, I had to pretend exceeding anger to stop his further
importunities. He then began again begging for
lucifers, which charmed him so intensely I thought I
should never get rid of him. He would have one box of
them. I swore 1 could not part with them. He continued
to beg, and I to resist. I offered a knife instead, but this
he would not have, because the lucifers would be so valuable
for his magical observances. On went the storm, till
at last I drove him off with a pair of my slippers, which
he had stuck his dirty feet into without my leave. I
then refused to take his bullock, because he had annoyed
me. On his part he was resolved not to beat the drum;
but he graciously said he would think about it if I paid
another lot of cloth equal to the second ddole 1 ought, to
have given him.
I began seriously to consider whether I should have this
chief shot, as a reward for his oppressive treachery, and a
■warning to others; but the Pig said it was just what the
Arabs were subjected to in Ubena, and they found it best
to pay down at once, and do all they were ordered. If I
acted rightly, I would take the bullock, and then give the
cloth; wrhilst Baraka said, “We will shoot him if you give
the order, only remember Grant is behind, and if you
commence a row you wdll have to fight the whole way,
for every chief in the country will oppose you.”
I then told the Pig and Baraka to settle at once. They
no sooner did so than the drums beat, and Makaka, in the
best humour possible, came over to say I had permission
to go when I liked, but he hoped I would give him a gun
and a box of lucifers. This was too provoking. The