brought, and a number of men appeared with grass
and wood for sale for hut-building.” .
The following day, some of my people went to a
neighbouring village to purchase corn, but the natives
insulted them, refusing to sell, saying that “ we should
die of hunger, as no one should either give or sell us
anything.” This conduct must induce hostilities, as the
Turks are too powerful to be insulted. I am rather
anxious lest some expedition may entail the departure
of the entire Turkish party, when the Latookas may
seize the opportunity of attacking my innocents. The
latter are now so thoroughly broken to my severe laws,’
thou shalt not take slaves; neither cattle; nor fire a
shot unless in self-defence,” that they are resigned to
the ignoble lot of minding the donkeys, and guarding
the camp.
Latooka was in a very disturbed state,. and the
excitement of the people was increasing daily. Two
of my men went into the town to buy grass, and,
without any provocation, they were surrounded by
the natives, and the gun of one man was wrested
from him; the other, after a tussle, in which he
lost his ramrod, beat a hasty retreat. A number of
the soldiers immediately collected, and I sent to
the chief to demand the restoration of the gun,
which was returned that evening. I could literally
procure nothing without the greatest annoyance and
trouble. ••
M*y men, by their mutiny and desertion at Gondo-
koro, had reduced a well-armed expedition to a mere
remnant, dependent upon the company of a band of
robbers for the means of advancing through the
country. Instead of travelling as I had arranged, at
the head of forty-five well-armed men, I had a miserable
fifteen cowardly curs, who were employed in driving
the baggage animals; thus they would be helpless in
the event of an attack upon the road. I accordingly
proposed to make a dep6t at Latooka, and to travel
with only twelve donkeys and the lightest baggage.
I t was a continual trial of temper and wounded pride.
To give up the expedition was easy, but to succeed at
that period appeared hopeless; and success could only
be accomplished by the greatest patience, perseverance,
and most careful tact and management of all parties.
I t was most galling to be a hanger-on to this company
of traders, who tolerated me for the sake of presents,
but who hated me in their hearts.
One afternoon some natives suddenly arrived from a
country named Obbo with presents from their chief
for the Turks, and also for me. Ibrahim received several
tusks, while I received an iron hoe (molote), as the
news had already extended to that country, “ that a