Suffice It Now To Say, After A Long Conversation, Arguing All The
Pros And Cons Over, I Settled I Would
Write out all the articles
of a treaty of peace, by which they should be liable to have all
their
Property forfeited on the coast if they afterwards broke
faith; and I begged them to call the next day and sign it.
They were no sooner gone, however, than Musa assured me they had
killed old Maula of Rubuga in the most treacherous manner, as
follows: - Khamis, who is an Arab of most gentlemanly aspect, on
returning from Ugogo attended by slaves, having heard that Maula
was desirous of adjusting a peace, invited him with his son to do
so. When old Maula came as desired, bringing his son with him,
and a suitable offering of ivory and cattle, the Arab induced
them both to kneel down and exchange blood with him, when, by a
previously concerted arrangement, Khamis had them shot down by
his slaves. This disgusting story made me quite sorry, when next
day the Arabs arrived, expecting that I should attempt to help
them; but as the matter had gone so far, I asked them, in the
first place, how they could hope Manua Sera would have any faith
in them when they were so treacherous, or trust to my help, since
they had killed Maula, who was my protege? They all replied in a
breath, "Oh, let the past be forgotten, and assist us now! for in
you alone we can look for a preserver."
At length an armistice was agreed to; but as no one dared go to
negotiated it but my men, I allowed them to take pay from the
Arabs, which was settled on the 4th by ten men taking four yards
of cloth each, with a promise of a feast on sweetmeats when they
returned.
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