expected miraculous ’ cures for the most incurable
diseases. I:
In this manner I gained a certain influence over the
people, but I was constantly subjected to excessive
annoyances and disgust, occasioned by the conduct of
their party towards the Latookas. The latter , were
extremely unwise, being very independent and ready
to take offence on the slightest pretext, and the Turks,
, being now 140 strong, had no fear, and there appeared
every probability of hostilities. I was’ engaged ; in
erecting huts, and in securing my camp; and although
I offered high payment, I could not prevail on the
natives to work regularly.' They invariably stipulated
th a t they were to receive their beads before they commenced
work, in which case they, with few exceptions,
absconded with their advanced payment. .
One day a native behaved in a similar manner to
the Turks; he'was, accordingly, caught, and unmercifully
beaten. Half an hour after, the nogara. beat,
and was answered by distant drums from the adjacent
villages. In about an hour, several thousand armed
men, with shields, were collected , with in half a mile , of
the Turks’ camp, to aVenge the, insult that'had been
pffered to one of their tribe. However, the Turks’
drum beat, and their whole force drew, up to their flag
under arms outside their zareeba, and offered a deten
mined front. I extract the following entry from my
journal. “ These Turks are delightful neighbours ;
they will create a row, and I shall be dragged into it
in self-defence, as the natives will distinguish no difference
in a scrimmage, although they draw favourable
comparisons between me and the Turks in times of
peace. Not a native came to work at the huts tó-day;
I therefore sent for the two chiefs, Commoro and Moy,
and had a long talk with them. They said that ‘ no
Latooka should , be beaten by common fellows like the
traders’ men ; that I was a great chief, and that if I
chose to beat them they would be content.’ I gave
them advice to keep quiet, and not to quarrel about
trifles, as the Turks would assuredly destroy the
country should a fight commence.
E At the same time, I told them that they did not
treat me properly : they came to me in times of difficulty
as a mediator, but although they knew I had
always paid well for everything, they gave me no
supplies, and I was obliged to shoot game for my daily
food, although they possessed such enormous herds
of cattle ; neither could I procure materials or workpeople
to complete my camp. The parley terminated
with an understanding that they were to supply
me with everything, and that they would put a stop
to the intended fight. In thè evening a goat was