obtain here. I was still busy over this when the head-man
arrived-, bringing with him a sheep as a present. I asked him
for porters to carry these extra loads ; I only wanted them for
one day or two, as I proposed making a camp about two
days’ march ahead, and then sending my own men to and fro
to get up the food as it was required. My head guide having
suggested the advisability of obtaining a local man, I also
asked for a guide.
CAMP A T BURKAU.
The head-man in reply said it was impossible to supply me
with porters, as all the slaves were now away working in the
shambas, which were a long way off, and that they had no food
to sell. He would give me a guide if I wished it, but no one knew
anything of the country inland except that it was all thorns,
quite impossible to cut through, and besides, that the country
was now entirely under water; that he had never heard of
any forest, but that of course he was ready to . help me in
every way, according to the orders he had received from Mze
Saif.
To this v e r y unsatisfactory declaration I answered that I had
come up as Mze Saif’s guest, with his full knowledge and
support, that I only wished to examine the country and
ascertain the truth about this reported forest, whether it
existed or not; if not, very well, but I would rather find out
the truth for myself.
As to the thorny bush, I had brought hatchets and knives
and would cut a path through if necessary; if the country
was flooded, why, we should have to wade, that was all. I added
that I wished to start next day, as my food supply was
limited, and he had just told me I could buy nothing here. I
presented him with ten rupees for himself and a similar sum
for the Waze, promising a further present on my return if he
gave me satisfaction. He thereupon promised to get me a
guide for the next day, but added that it would be advisable
for me to give a present to the Wa-Boni and Wa-Galla headmen
before I started. To this I consented, and fixed the interview
for next morning, after which I proposed to start for the
interior.
Owing to the number of Gallas about the village, several of
whom came to visit my camp, I thought it advisable to keep
all my men at hand, putting a couple of sentries on guard.
The temperature this day was— 6 a.m., 72° (with heavy
squalls of wind and rain); I p.m., 83°; 4 p.m., 8i° ; 6 p.m.,
76--(squalls and showers in the night).
The following morning, June 3,. was again stormy and
wet. I had my tent struck, and all the loads packed
in readiness to start as soon as my shauri with the native
head-men was over. They shortly afterwards arrived, sixteen
Wa-Galla and some Wa-Boni, accompanied by the head-man
and Waze of Burkau. I opened the discussion by reminding
them that the Wa-Galla and Wa-Boni and the English were
friends, and telling them that I had only come to look at
their country, and take back information about themselves. I
had come for amani (peace), and not for war.
The leading Wa-Galla replied— Yes, that from the Sabaki
to the Tana the Wa-Galla knew that the English were friends,