IN THE JUNGLE 



they resigned themselves to their fate. In fact, 

 some of the most enterprising like Memba Sasa, 

 Kitaru, and, later, Kongoni used of their own ac- 

 cord to hunt up and bring in seeds and blossoms. 

 They did not in the least understand what it was for; 

 and it used to puzzle them hugely until out of sheer 

 pity for their uneasiness, I implied that the Mem- 

 sahib collected "medicine." That was rational, so 

 the wrinkled brow of care was smoothed. From 

 this botanical trait, Billy got her native name of 

 "Beebee Kooletta" "The Lady Who Says: Go 

 Get That." For in Africa every white man has a 

 name by which he is known among the native people. 

 If you would get news of your friends, you must know 

 their local cognomens their own white man names 

 will not do at all. For example, I was called either 

 Bwana Machumwani or Bwana N'goma. The 

 former means merely Master Four-eyes, referring to 

 my glasses. The precise meaning of the latter is a 

 matter much disputed between myself and Billy. 

 An N'goma is a native dance, consisting of drum 

 poundings, chantings, and hoppings around. There- 

 fore I translate myself (most appropriately) as the 

 Master who Makes Merry. On the other hand, 

 Billy, with true feminine indirectness, insists that 

 it means "The Master who Shouts and Howls." I 

 leave it to any fairminded reader. 



245 



