How I Found Livingstone Travels, Adventures And Discoveries In Central Africa Including Four Months Residence With Dr. Livingstone By Sir Henry M. Stanley
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What strong beer the
white men have! Oh, how my throat burns!"
"Ah, but it is good," said I, "a little of it makes men feel
strong, and good; but too much of it makes men bad, and they die."
"Let me have some," said one of the chiefs; "and me," " and me,"
"and me," as soon as each had tasted.
"I next produced a bottle of concentrated ammonia, which as I
explained was for snake bites, and head-aches; the Sultan
immediately complained he had a head-ache, and must have a little.
Telling him to close his eyes, I suddenly uncorked the bottle, and
presented it to His Majesty's nose. The effect was magical, for he
fell back as if shot, and such contortions as his features
underwent are indescribable. His chiefs roared with laughter,
and clapped their hands, pinched each other, snapped their fingers,
and committed many other ludicrous things. I verily believe if such
a scene were presented on any stage in the world the effect of it
would be visible instantaneously on the audience; that had they
seen it as I saw it, they would have laughed themselves to
hysteria and madness. Finally the Sultan recovered himself, great
tears rolling down his cheeks, and his features quivering with
laughter, then he slowly uttered the word "kali," - hot, strong,
quick, or ardent medicine. He required no more, but the other
chiefs pushed forward to get one wee sniff, which they no sooner
had, than all went into paroxysms of uncontrollable laughter.
The entire morning was passed in this state visit, to the mutual
satisfaction of all concerned.
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