204 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
off our guard, or, as I hope, a result of fear. The latter is 
most probable, as the natives lost heavily in the battle, and 
they believe that we will stay in their country and loot. 
We have been doing our best to instil into the minds 
of our two hostages some idea of our power, laying much 
stress on a big gun we had, and which we refrained from 
using in the last battle. 
“ Aprilio. The big gun that we boasted of was fired 
last night in the shape of two rockets. No native was 
seen until this morning, when about one hundred horse- 
men appeared half a mile off. They sent two of the num- 
ber to ask us if they could hold a conference with us, but I 
replied that I would only allow a few men to approach at 
once. Several times natives came to the camp swearing 
peace, but I could not be sure of their intentions, and kept 
” 
. 
a sharp lookout on all sides 
