their fierce spirit is broken, or whether we will
have to fight on land.”
A s the distance between Bumbireh and Mahyiga
was about eight miles, we did not arrive until
2 P.M. before the former island. It was evident
that the savages had expected us, for the heights
o f the hilly ridge were crowded with large
masses, and e v e ry point was manned with
watchmen.
Through my field-glass I observed messengers
running fast to a thick plantain grove which
crowned the southernmost hill, and commanded
a view o f all approach to a cove that penetrated
to its base. It was clear that the main .force
o f the natives was ready in the shadows o f the
grove. Calling the canoes together, I told the
chiefs to follow my boat, and to steer exactly
as I did. W e made a feint o f entering into this
cove, but when near the point, perceiving that
w e were hidden b y the lofty hill from the observation
o f those in the g rove and o f the lookouts,
we swerved to the left, and, clinging to
the land, pulled vigorously until we came to a
cape, after rounding which w e came in view of
a fine and noble b a y to our right.
B y this manoeuvre the enemy was revealed
in all his strength. T he savages were massed
behind the plantains as I had suspected, and
from their great numbers proved much too strong
to be attacked under cover. A ll the eastern
r A u g u s t 4, 1875.-] th e w o r k o f punishment. 65
[ B um b ireh . J
and northern sides o f the b ay were surrounded
by lofty hills, which sloped steeply to within
a few feet o f the water’s edge, and were covered
with small shingly rocks, and thin short grass.
The low shélf o f land that la y between the hill
base and the water was margined with tall cane-
grass.
We steered straight east towards the more
exposed hill slopes. The savages, imagining
we were about to effect a landing there, hurried
from their coverts, between 2000 and 3000 in
number. I examined the shores carefully, ‘ to see
if I could discover the canoes which had conveyed
this great number o f warriors from the
mainland. Meanwhile we pulled slowly, to afford
them time to arrange themselves.
Arrived within x00 yards o f the land, we
anchored in line, the stone anchors being dropped
from midships that the broadsides might front
the shore. I told Lukanjah o f Ukerewe to ask
the men o f Bumbireh if th ey would make peace,
whether w e should be friends, or whether we
should fight.
“ Nangu, nangu, nangu!” (“ No, no, no!” ) they
answered loudly, while they flourished spears
and shields.
“ Will th ey not do anything to save Sh ekk a?”
“ Nangu, nangu! Keep Shekka; he is nobody.
We have another M’kama (king).”
“ Will they do nothing to save Antari’sNion?”
THROUGH THE DARK CONTINENT. VOL. II. F