There, Sure Enough, Was A Mark, Something Like The
Letters M. I., On Its Bark, But Not Distinct Enough To Be
Ascertained, Because The Bark Had Healed Up.
In describing the
individual who had done this, the Turks said he was exactly like
myself, for he had a long beard, and a voice even much resembling
mine.
He came thus far with Mahamed from Gondokoro two years
ago, and then returned, because he was alarmed at the accounts
the people gave of the countries to the southward, and he did not
like the prospect of having to remain a whole rainy season with
Mahamed at Faloro. He knew we were endeavouring to come this way,
and directed Mahamed to point out his name if we did so.
We took up our quarters in the village as usual, but the Turks
remained outside, and carried off all the tops of the villagers'
huts to make a camp for themselves. I rebuked them for doing so,
but was mildly told they had no huts of their own. They carried
no pots either for cooking their dinners, and therefore took from
the villagers all that they wanted. It was a fixed custom now,
they told us, and there was no use in our trying to struggle
against it. If the natives were wise, they would make enough to
sell; but as they would not, they must put up with their lot; for
the "government" cannot be baulked of its ivory. Truly there
seemed to be nothing but misery here; food was so scarce the
villagers sought for wild berries and fruits; whilst the Turks
helped themselves out of their half-filled bins - a small reserve
store to last up to the far-distant harvest. Then, to make
matters worse, all the village chiefs were at war with one
another.
At night a party of warriors walked round our village, but feared
to attack it because we were inside. Next morning the villagers
turned out and killed two of the enemy; but the rest, whilst
retreating, sang out that they would not attempt to fight until
"the guns" were gone - after that, the villagers had better look
out for themselves. I now proposed going on if the Apina, or
chief of the village, would give me a guide; but he feared to do
so lest I should come to grief, and Mahamed would then be down
upon him. Struggling was useless, for I had no beads to pay my
way with, and my cows were now all finished; so I took the matter
quietly, and went out foraging with the rifle.
18th and 19th. - Antelopes were numerous, but so wild I could not
get near them. On bending round homewards, however, three
buffaloes, feeding in the distance, on the top of a roll of high
ground beyond where we stood, were observed by the natives, who
had flocked out in the hopes of getting flesh. To stalk them, I
went up wind to near where I expected to find them; then bidding
the natives lie down, I stole along through the grass until at
last I saw three pairs of horns glistening quite close in front
of me.
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