A Thousand Miles in a Machilla 



had supplied. The remainder was divided among 



the men by messes, A 's machilla boys having 



the first call after the gun-bearers, on account of 

 the special work they had had in connection with 

 shooting the game. The distribution of the meat 

 often gave rise to a considerable amount of talk, not 

 to say argument, porter X. thinking that porter Y. 

 had had more than his share. These disputes were 

 rarely referred to us, though occasionally old Saidi, 

 who had seemingly an enormous appetite, consider- 

 ing what a thin little man he was, would dash up, 

 his portion in his hand, and complain bitterly of 

 its size. 



The meat ration is always greatly appreciated, 

 and its stoppage is often an effective punishment, 

 though it is difficult to enforce as regards an 

 individual, for no one messed alone. The allotting 

 of the meat places a certain amount of useful 

 power in the hands of the headman, who can, if 

 he distributes it with judgment, pay off old scores 

 against any group of men who have annoyed him 

 by slackness or insubordination. In this respect 

 John was not as severe as other headmen we 

 have had, who used the influence the meat gave 

 them very effectively. It is just as well for all ranks 

 in a caravan to realize the advantage of being in 

 the good graces of the headman. 



We struck the Lintipe river on the 24th, 

 and, marching through some very pretty country, 

 followed its course until we passed out of the 

 mountains and entered the level forest-covered 

 district, averaging nearly four thousand feet in 



70 



