am I lik e ly to be slow now? Am I much older
than I was then? Am I less strong? Do I not
know what travel is now? Was I not like a
b o y then, and am I not now a man? Y ou remember
while going to Ujiji I permitted the
guide to show the way, but when we were returning
who was it that led the way? Was it
not I, b y means o f that [little compass which
could not lie like the guide?” “ A y , true, master,
true e v e ry w o rd !” “ V e r y well, then, let us finish
the shauri, and go. To-morrow we will make
a proper agreement before the consul” ; and, in
Scriptural phrase, “ th ey forthwith arose and
did as th ey were commanded.”
Upon receiving information from the coast
that there was a v e ry large number o f men
waiting for me, I became still more fastidious
in my choice. But with all my care and gift
o f selection, I was mortified to discover that
many faces and characters had baffled the rigorous
scrutiny to which I had subjected them,
and that some scores o f the most abandoned
and depraved characters on the island had been
enlisted b y me on the Expedition. One man,
named Msenna, imposed upon me b y assuming
such a contrite penitent look, and weeping such
copious tears, when I informed him that he had
too bad a character to be Employed, that my
good-nature was prevailed upon to accept his
services, upon the understanding that, if he indulged
his murderous propensities in Africa, I
should return him chained the entire distance to
Zanzibar, to be dealt with b y his Prince.
The defence o f his conduct was something
like this: “ Bwana,* yo u see these scars on my
head and neck. T h e y are from the sabres o f
the S e y y id ’s soldiers. Demand o f any, A rab or
Freeman, wh y I received them. T h e y will tell
you they were inflicted for rebellion against
Prince Majid at Melinda. T he Arabs hate me
because I joined the coast men against their
authority. Can any one charge me with worse
deeds?”— appealing to the Wangwana. A ll were
silent. “ I am a free-born son o f tfye coast, and
never did any man or woman who did not
molest me the smallest injury. Allah be praised!
I am strong, healthy, and contented with my
lot, and if you take me yo u will never have
cause to regret it. If yo u fear that I shall desert
give me no advance p a y , but p a y me when I
come back to Zanzibar according to my deserts.”
This appeal was delivered with impassioned
accents and liv e ly gestures, which produced a
great effect upon the mixed audience who listened
to him, and gathering from their faces, more
than from my own convictions, that p o o r scarred
Msenna was a kind o f a political refugee, much
abused and v e ry much misunderstood, his services
were accepted, and as he appeared to be an
* “ Master.”