328 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



February, The negotiations were carried on through the medium of 

 1875. Q^e of jjjy men, who, having been employed on board a Por- 

 tuguese merchant - ship, spoke tlie language well, but unfortu- 

 nately understood nothing as to the money. Alvez unhesita- 

 tingly took advantage of this ignorance, and fleeced me out- 

 rageously. 



Wlien once the agreement was signed, he changed his tone of 

 almost cringing civility for one of impertinence, and it required 

 considerable self-control on my part to avoid numerous rows 

 with him. He had promised not to wait for the levee, but to 

 start two days after signing our agreement. Yet as soon as he 

 considered I was in his power, he declared, notwithstanding my 

 remonstrances, that he would not start until after the levee. 



At last the momentous day arrived, and a messenger from 

 Kasongo came to Jumah and myself at seven o'clock in the 

 morning, saying that he hoped we would attend without delay, 

 as Alvez was already at his mussumba. 



Jumah warned me to be prepared for treachery, having 

 heard that Kasongo had proposed to Alvez that he should join 

 in attacking and looting us ; and that although Alvez had re- 

 fused, a large number of his people, headed by Coimbra, had 

 agreed to assist in this plot. 



" Once warned, twice armed ;" so we posted fifty of Jumah's 

 men with guns in different parts of his settlement, and, taking 

 sixty more, and my own askari, proceeded to the mussumba. 



There we found Kasongo and Fume a Kenna almost alone 

 in their glory, although large numbers of chiefs and their fol- 

 lowers were collected outside. At first the entry of our armed 

 party was objected to, but I overcame this by the assertion that 

 they were brought merely in honor of Kasongo, as it would be 

 disrespectful to visit so powerful a chief on a state occasion 

 without a suitable escort. 



I did not carry my rifle, contenting myself with keeping my 

 revolver ready for action if necessary ; but Jumah Merikani, 

 contrary to his usual habit, dispensed with the services of a gun- 

 bearer, and took the precaution of carrying his gun himself. 



Soon after our arrival, the jingling of bells announced the 

 approach of Alvez in his hammock, and we then proceeded to 

 business. 



