violent was the storm, that not a man was to be seen :
some were sheltering themselves under the neighbouring
rocks; while others ran to their villages
that were close b y ; the trader’s people commenced
a fusilade, firing off all their guns lest they should
¡vet wet and miss fire. I could not help thinking how
completely they were at the mercy of the natives at
that moment, had they chosen to attack them ;. the
trader’s party were lying under their untanned ox-hides
with their empty guns. Each of my men was provided
with a piece of mackintosh, with which his gun-
locks were secured. We lay upon an angarep covered
with a bull’s hide until the storm was over. The
thunder was magnificent, exploding on the peak of
the mountain exactly above us, and in the course
of a quarter of an hour torrents were rushing down
the ravines among the rocks, the effects of the violent
storm that had passed away as rapidly as it had
arrived.
No sooner had it ceased than the throng again
appeared. Once more the chief, “ Legge,” was before
us begging for all that we had. Although the natives
asked for beads, they would give nothing in exchange,
and we could purchase nothing for any article except
molotes. These iron hoes are made principally in this
country: thus it appeared strange that they should
demand them. Legge does a large business with these
hoes, sending them into the Berri. and Galla countries
to the east, with various beads and copper bracelets, to
purchase ivory. Although there are very few elephants
in the neighbourhood of Ellyria, there is an immense
amount of ivory, as the chief is so great a trader that
he accumulates it to exchange with the Turks for
cattle. Although he sells it so dear that he demands
tVenty cows for a large tusk, it is a convenient station
for the traders, as, being near to Gondokoro, there
is very little trouble in delivering the ivory on shipboard.
Although I had presented Legge with what lie
desired, he would give nothing in return, neither
would he sell either goats or fowls; in fact, no provision
was procurable except honey. I purchased about
eight pounds of this luxury for a hoe. , My men were
starving, and I was obliged to serve them out rice
from my sacred stock, as I had nothing else to give
them. This they boiled and mixed with honey, and
they wrere shortly sitting round an immense circular
bowl of this rarity, enjoying themselves thoroughly,
but nevertheless grumbling as usual. In the coolest
manner possible the great and greedy chief, Legge,
who had refused to give or even to sell anything to
keep us from starving, no sooner saw the men at their