THE WORLD'S WONDEES. 175 



as children ride " pick-a-pack." He generally had two or three 

 spare men, who alternately acted as guides and ponies, while one 

 of his wives invariably accompanied him, bearing a large jar of 

 beer, with which it was said the old chief refreshed himself so 

 copiously during the journey that it sometimes became necessary 

 for two men to carry him instead of one. This may have been 

 merely a scandalous report in Obbo ; however, it appeared that 

 Katchfba was ready for a start, as usual accompanied by a Hebe 

 with a jar of beer. Confident in his powers as a rider across 

 country on a man, he considered that he could easily ride a horse. 

 It was in vain that Mrs. Baker protested, and prophesied a broken 

 neck should he attempt to bestride the hitherto unknown animal ; 

 to ride he was determined. Accordingly one of the blooded 

 horses was brought out, and Katchiba was assisted upon his 

 back. Recognizing an awkward hand, the horse did not move. 

 "Go on," said Katchiba; but as the steed did not understand 

 che Obbo language, he remained perfectly still. "Touch him 

 with your stick," cried one of Baker's men; and, acting upon 

 the suggestion, the old sorcerer gave him a tremendous whack 

 with his staff. This was immediately responded to by the spirited 

 animal, who, quite unused to such eccentricities, gave a vigorous 

 kick, the effect of which was to convert the sorcerer into a 

 spread-eagle, flying head over heels, and landing heavily on the 

 ground, amidst roars of laughter' from the crowd that had col- 



o * o 



lected to witness the scene. The old chief was assisted upon 

 his feet, and being considerably stunned, he regarded the horse 

 with great astonishment. But his natural instinct prompted him 

 soon to call for his beer, and after a long draft from the mighty 

 cup his courage returned. He made no further effort, however, 

 to ride the white man's horse, expressing the sage opinion that 

 he was "too high it was a long way to tumble down." 



HETUEN TO LATOOKA. 



As they could not advance southward on account of the rainv 

 season, Baker and the Turks determined to return to their former 

 camp at Latooka, wnere supplies were more abundant, and 

 Wait until the weather became more settled. Before parting a 



