290 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



October, the iiewlj arrived chief miliappilj prevailed ; negotiations were 

 1874. broken off, and arrows again began to fly about. 



I now determined to make some show of retaliation, so 

 burned down one hut, threatening at the same moment that 

 if not allowed to leave peaceably I would set fire to the entire 

 place, and let them know what bullets really were. This de- 

 cided action resulted in permission being given for our depart- 

 ure, but only by a road leading in an opi)osite direction to that 

 we proposed going. 



My guides said that a village under a separate chieftainship, 

 where we should be hospitably received, was situated on the 

 road we were oixlered to follow ; so I decided to go there to 

 avoid any further argument or trouble with these treacherous 

 people, and gave orders to march. 



The road was through tangled grass, scrub, belts of thick 

 jungle, and open plains ; and as we marched along we were sur- 

 rounded by crowds of yelling savages, who kept clear out of 

 range of our guns in the open, but closed in and shot at us 

 whenever there was cover. 



The whit ! whit ! of the long arrows going through the trees 

 created a very unpleasant sensation, but, notwithstanding the 

 number flying about, none of us were wounded. I therefore 

 would not allow a gun to be fired, being determined not to 

 shed any blood unless driven to do so in self-defense. 



About five o'clock the natives drew off; and at sunset we 

 arrived at a strip of jungle with a stream running through it, 

 and on the opposite bank was the village that we hoped would 

 prove a haven of peace and rest. 



With the guides I went to hail the village, and inquire wheth- 

 er we could be received. And here again our only answer was 

 a volley of arrows. I then called upon my men to follow me, 

 a summons to which Jumah, Sambo, and one or two others re- 

 sponded ; and, firing our guns, we dashed through the jungle, 

 across the river, and entered the village at one side, M'liile the 

 natives disappeared at the other. The rest of my brave army, 

 excepting four or five who remained with Bombay in charge 

 of the stores, bolted ; and for thus turning their backs on the 

 enemy retributive justice furnished two of them with artificial 

 tails looking remarkably like arrows. 



