180 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



The town was thronged with people, and though 

 there was nothing one could take hold of as defi- 

 nitely friendly or not friendly, we had a very strong 

 impression of hostile feeling towards the white man. ^ 

 It is natural that the Bagirimi should resent his 

 intrusion, for he has brought curtailment of their 

 power and riches — though from all appearances the 

 Resident himself is liked. He exacts and acknow- 

 ledges respectful salutes from all whom he passes, 

 but the stricter Mahommedans in the streets were 

 careful not to include Mrs Talbot and me in their 

 salaam. Sometimes we pretended to take it for our- 

 selves, and made a return gesture, upon which they 

 would drop their hands and turn away with an ex- 

 pression of utter disgust. 



In a certain measure it was our misfortune to 

 incur the Sultan's anger, for he put pressure on Mr 

 Talbot to induce him to sell our remaining rifles, 

 which of course we refused to do, and he was not 

 accustomed to being gainsaid. Also, though he had 

 given his chain -armour and helmet for a price, he 

 sorely grudged parting with them. Captain Lueas 

 expressed very great astonishment that he had offered 

 to do so, and we were prepared, therefore, for some 

 devoted subject to try and bring back these treasures 

 to him. We distributed them very carefully amongst 

 our own clothes and personal baggage ; for we knew 

 that the Bagirimi regard skilful theft as a virtue, 

 and, should any confusion arise, less guarded loads 

 might disappear without any of us being the wiser. 



Whether it was in anticipation of any such attempt, 

 or merely as a guard of honour, I do not know, but 

 soldiers were on guard round our rest-house all day 



