200 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



the latter had been reinforced by a party of Turks under a half- 

 civilized leader named Debono, and Kamrasi found it impossible 

 to withstand this combined force. He had sent repeatedly to 

 Baker, asking his assistance, which the latter refused ; but now 

 it seemed that he was determined to force compliance with his 

 wishes. But rather than die the death of a dog, or be forced to 

 accede to the demands of the brutal Kamrasi, Baker determined, 

 sick and feeble as he and his wife were, to move on and trust to 

 providence. 



A day's journey through grass eight feet hiffh brought the 

 party to a burned and deserted village, and here they halted in 

 another torrent of rain, the invalids being now so sick that they 

 could not bear even the motion of a litter. While in this most 

 hopeless and wretched condition, one of Kamrasi' s head men 

 appeared and promised food and porters in abundance if Baker 

 and his men would join the king in the war against Rionga and 

 Debono. In the desperation of his situation, Baker asked to be 

 taken to Kamrasi, leading the ambassador to believe that his 

 terms would be accepted. A few hours afterward oxen were 

 produced and slaughtered, whil a several cows were furnished to 

 supply the party with milk. A feast followed, which came none 

 too early, for the entire party were almost dead from starvation. 



The travelers, being somewhat refreshed by the milk, were 

 carried to another village to meet the king. On their arrival 

 they found a hut titted up with all the comforts possible in that 

 country, and soon thereafter announcement was made that the 

 king was present. 



MEETING WITH A SPURIOUS KING. 



IN a few moments the king entered the hut, and with a coarse 

 laugh said : " Well, here you are at last. So you have been to 

 the M'wootan N'zige ! Well, you don't look much the better for 

 it. Why, I should not have known you! ha! ha! ha!" 

 Baker was in no condition to enjoy facetious remarks, and up- 

 braided the royal brute for so basely deceiving him and suffering 

 him to almost die of starvation. 



" Never mind," he replied, " it's all over now ; you really are 



