84 UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN 



At once the boats placed themselves in a sort of line-of-battle 

 array, and with incredible speed, the boatmen shoutin^^ and 

 yelling like mad, we dashed towards one of the numerous inlets. 

 Instead of the expected peaceful landing, I witnessed with 

 surprise what looked for all the world like a bold attack on an 

 enemy's country. Most of my crews rushed ashore armed with 

 shields and spears. Some terrified inhabitants ran awav into 

 the woods, while my lawless mob of boatmen pounced on 

 fowls and chickens, tore up vegetable marrows and pumpkins, 

 seized all the fish they found in the dug-outs, and recklessly 

 cut down banana-trees right and left to get at the fruit. 

 Screams made me hurry unarmed ashore, just in time to save 

 a poor old woman from having three young goats snatched 

 from her. As soon as I had enabled her to retreat to the safe 

 shelter of the woods, I had to save a man whom the boatmen 

 had seized and, for all I knew, were going to spear. The 

 wretches bolted off when they saw me, and the man I had 

 saved ran for his life and escaped. 



Then some armed natives deployed out of the banana 

 groves. At the sight of this score of armed men, my 400 

 cowardly Wasoga robbers fled to the boats. A shower of 

 stones was flung at us and wounded a few. A stone about 

 the size of my fist struck me in the pit of the stomach. For- 

 tunately it was a spent stone, or I should have been doubled 

 up on the spot and would then most probably have been 

 speared. It served as a hint that unarmed I should only be 

 throwing away my life by remaining. Under cover of this 

 shower of stones, some tried to rush us with spears, when " bang ! 

 bang ! " went off some muzzle-loaders, proving that the natives 

 could also muster a few guns. 



When I turned round, I found my men had got into their 

 boats and were vigorously paddling off. I was left quite 

 alone. I reached the lake, threw myself in, and struck out 

 for the boats, I am a very indifferent swimmer, as I get too 

 quickly exhausted. I would not have ventured upon such a 

 performance in time of peace on any inducement. It is 

 astonishing what undreamt-of feats the pressure of circum- 

 stances may get the most reluctant of us to attempt! It was 

 my first swim with all mv clothes on. I did not relish it, 

 and I have no desire to repeat it. Not one of the boats came 

 to my help. I only wonder I did not get drowned before I 



