84 In the Heart of Africa 



deprived of his well-filled fombe jug. He had then refreshed his 

 inner man so generously, that he afterwards just staggered to and 

 fro in a drivelling condition in front of the caravan, to the great 

 joy of our carriers. 



"The Wahutu misunderstood our friendly intentions, how- 

 ever, and began to yell and bellow war cries, which resounded 

 from village to village, and after a very short interval we could 

 see the natives streaming in great bodies towards us from the 

 valleys and the hill slopes, armed with spears and bows and 

 arrows. 



" By daylight we could easily have held them in check with 

 our half-dozen rifles, but we should have found it impossible to 

 defend ourselves against a crushing night attack. 



" The warriors assembled on the summit opposite our quarters. 

 We could observe the village elders holding council together. 

 Detachments had already been sent off down the slopes in the 

 direction of our camp. I decided then, in order to prevent any 

 bloodshed, to approach them, attended only by my interpreter, 

 in order that I might treat with them. 



" Having proceeded half-way — I had ordered the Askari back 

 to the camp in spite of their desire to accompany me — I com- 

 manded my interpreter to call out to the natives assembled on 

 the hill that I entertained none other than friendly intentions. 

 They might know this by my being perfectly unarmed. I chal- 

 lenged them to bring their elders along to confer with me. 



" For a considerable time they made no sign. It was a highly 

 critical situation, especially as the people had crept round me on 

 the declivities, and were covering me with their bows. My only 

 comfort lay in the knowledge that the arrows were not poisoned. 



"At last one of the village chiefs advanced towards me, un- 

 armed, like myself. I advanced a few paces to meet him, and 

 greeted him with a firm shake of the hand. This sealed peaceful 

 relations, and in an hour's time we had received our needed stores 

 and also a guide in a fit condition for service." 



After Schubotz and Mildbraed had also returned from their 

 explorations in Rugege, travelling together with Grawert from 



