A piece of
raw hide was to cover the breech of the gun to protect it from the night
dew.
Having given every instruction, and impressed upon officers and men the
necessity of vigilance, I ordered Major Abdullah, in command, to remain
in charge of the vessels and cattle until I should either send him
carriers for an advance, or fall back myself, should I be unable to
obtain them.
A tall old man of about seventy, or perhaps eighty years, had paid us a
visit. From his appearance, and the numerous spells hung about his
person, I judged him to be a rain-maker. His face was smeared with wood
ashes, and there was a good deal of the ideal demon in his personal
exterior.
I gave him a blue shirt, and a glass of Marsala wine, thus appealing at
once to his exterior and interior.
It is always advisable to make friends with the rain-makers, as they are
regarded by the natives as priests, and are considered with a certain
respect. I therefore give him another glass of wine; or, to be correct,
he drank it from a tin that had contained preserved provisions.
This caused him to blink his eyes and smack his lips, and the old
rain-maker grinned a ghastly smile of admiration. His wood ash-smeared
features relaxed into an expression that denoted "more wine." I thought
he had enough, and there was none to spare; therefore, having opened his
heart, I began to ask him questions.
That unfailing key, liquor, had established a confidential flow of
conversation. The old fellow explained that he knew the entire country,
and he had no objection to accompany us to Lobore for a small
consideration in the shape of a cow. He assured me that if he were with
us, the natives would be civil throughout the journey. Bedden had
behaved very badly, but he had got the worst of it, and the news had
spread up the country.
I asked him whether he would keep the rain away during the journey, as
it would be very unpleasant should the soldiers' kits get wet. He
immediately blew his rain-whistle that was suspended to his neck, and
looked at me as though I could no longer doubt his capability. I then
sent for a German horn from my cabin. This was a polished cow's horn,
fitted with brass, which I think had cost a shilling. I begged the old
rain-maker's acceptance of this instrument, which might be perhaps
superior to his whistle.
The wine had now so far warmed his old blood, that the ancient sorcerer
was just in that state of good-will with all mankind which made him
doubly grateful for so interesting a present. He blew the horn! - again,
and again! He grinned till the tears ran down his eyes, and at once
suspended the glittering toy around his neck. He now said, "I am a great
sheik; there is no rain-maker so great as I; you will travel with me,
and this horn shall keep you dry. Don't trouble yourself about the
Baris, they won't molest you; but start as soon as you can."
We had thus gained a valuable ally and guide. Although I knew the
direction of Lobore, I should have been obliged to travel by compass,
therefore I was overjoyed that we had obtained so experienced an old
fellow as the rain-maker. His name was Lokko.
At 3 p.m., on 8th February, we started, old Lokko leading the way, and
waving a couple of thin, peeled sticks at a refractory black cloud that
appeared determined to defy his rain-ruling powers. A few loud blasts
upon the new horn, and a good deal of pantomime and gesticulation on the
part of old Lokko, at length had the desired effect; the cloud went off
about its business, and Lokko, having given his face an extra rub of
fresh wood-ashes before starting, looked ugly enough to frighten any
rain-devil out of his wits.
My people were heavily laden. At the commencement of the journey, an ox
that Monsoor had been training, kicked off its load, and went off at
full gallop like a wild animal, and we never saw it again. Poor Monsoor
now shouldered the load that the ox had left helpless, and marched thus
heavily laden up the hill.
My wife rode "Greedy Grey," which carried as much as could be hung upon
the saddle. I rode the powerful chestnut "Jamoos." Lieutenant Baker
mounted a very handsome light chestnut "Gazelle," and Colonel
Abd-el-Kader rode the Zafteer. The latter was a fine old Arab that I had
purchased of a zafteer (mounted police) in Cairo. I had ten donkeys
which carried officers' effects, spare ammunition, flour, &c. The
twenty-two boatmen carried boxes.
My wife and I, with Lieutenant Baker and an advanced guard of five of
"The Forty," followed old Lokko, who led the way; and Colonel
Abd-el-Kader and Captain Mohammed Deii were with the rear-guard, which
drove 1,000 cows and 500 sheep. The cattle were in the charge of the
Bari interpreter, Morgian.
Our boys and girls all carried loads. Amarn looked like a small Robinson
Crusoe, with a tanned sheepskin bag of clothes upon his back, upon which
was slung the coffee-pot, an umbrella, and various smaller articles,
while he assisted himself with a long staff in his hand. Little Cuckoo,
who, although hardly seven years old, was as strong as a little pony,
strode along behind my horse, carrying upon his head my small travelling
bag.
