THH WORLD'S WONDERS. 205 



during the journey to the lake, Baker procured a quantity of 

 castor-oil plants, and evsry morning he had a portion of them 

 boiled in a large pot, and then steamed himself over the vessel. 

 This remedy proved to be so beneficial that in two weeks the fever 

 had left him. The plantain cider was also healthgiving, because 

 it created an appetite, and was an excellent stimulant. The 

 method of cider-making was simple. The fruit was buried in a 

 deep hole and covered with straw and earth ; at the expiration 

 of about eight days the green plantains thus interred had become 

 ripe ; they were then peeled and pulped within a large wooden 

 trough resembling a canoe ; this was filled with water, and the 

 pulp being well mashed and stirred, was left to ferment for two 

 days, after which it was fit to drink. Throughout Unyoro plan- 

 tains are the staple article of food. The natives invariably eat 

 the unripe fruit, which, when boiled, is a good substitute for 

 potatoes. Cider is made from ripe fruit only. 



A TROUBLESOME KING. 



ONE day after Baker had recovered sufficiently to be able to 

 walkabout, he was visited by the king, who desired his assistance 

 forthwith against Rionga. Baker tried to reason with him against 

 the injustice of his request, reminding him that he was an explorer 

 and a subject of the queen, and had no right to make offensive 

 alliances against one who had done him no injury. But Kamrasi 

 was still urgent, nor could he be pacified with trinkets, though he 

 did not refuse any that were offered, nor neglect to ask for every- 

 thing he saw. Among other articles which Baker gave him was 

 an ivory comb, which he at once applied to his wool, and then 

 handed it around to his officers, who also went through a vigorous 

 scratching with it. To this present was added a quantity of 

 ammunition and a looking glass, besides several beads. But the 

 comb pleased him most, and he wanted his guest to take back 

 with him to England an elephant's tusk and have it made into 

 combs for his majesty's use. The medicine chest had also to be 

 inspected, and each powder, pill and phial smelt of. He begged 

 for some of the medicine, and Baker gave him several doses of 

 tartar-emetic, with instructions not to use it until he had returned 



