I gave him, according to my usual custom with all sheiks and headmen,
seeds of the best Egyptian cotton, tomatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers,
water-melons, sweet-melons, barmian, maize, &c., &c.
Before parting, I amused and shocked him with the magnetic battery, and
he went away surprised and delighted.
I subsequently discovered that a large quantity of flour, together with
some fowls which he had forwarded to me, had been stopped and
appropriated by the renowned Ali Hussein. The intriguing spirit of these
slave-hunters was extraordinary. It is their custom never to receive a
sheik unless he brings a present. He therefore considered that if Rot
Jarma should appear for the first time before me empty-handed, I should
either not admit him, or perhaps be prejudiced against him; thus he had
stolen the customary gift of introduction in order to create ill-will on
my part towards Rot Jarma, who had never yet condescended to visit the
station of Abou Saood . . . . .
Wat-el-Ajoos, with the assistance of Shooli and Gimoro, had collected
200 carriers, all of whom had received each a cow.
I had assorted the luggage, and although I had not the slightest
suspicion of any fighting, nevertheless my ammunition formed a
considerable portion of the heavier baggage.
