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.
Everybody was in the best spirits, as the reaction from despair
to success was delightful. We were really off at last, and were actually
on the march to the interior.
