THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 245 



A WONDERFUL RAIN-MAKER. 



THE greatest difficulty was in securing reliable guides, with- 

 out whom they could not move ; but when Baker's arrange- 

 ments were about completed he had the good fortune to obtain 

 an excellent guide in the person of an old rain-maker. A tall old 

 man of about seventy, or perhaps eighty years, had paid them a 

 visit. From his appearance, and the numerous spells hung about 

 his person, they knew that he was a rain-maker. His face was 

 smeared with wood-ashes, and there was a good deal of the ideal 

 demon in his persona! exterior. Baker gave him a blue shirt and 

 a glass of Marsala wine, thus appealing at once to his exterior and 

 interior. It is always advisable to make friends of the rain- 

 makers, as they are regarded by the natives as priests, and are 

 considered with a certain respect. He was therefore given 

 another glass of wine : or, to be correct, he drank it from a tin 

 that had contained preserved provisions. This caused him to 

 blink his eyes and smack his lips, and he grinned a ghastly smile 

 of admiration. His wood-ash-smeared features relaxed into an 

 expression that denoted "more wine." That unfailing key, 

 liquor, had established a confidential flow of conversation. The 

 old fellow explained that he knew the entire country, and he had 

 no objection to accompany the expedition to Lobore for a small 

 consideration in the shape of a cow. He assured the people that 

 if he were with them the natives Would be civil throughout the 

 journey. Baker asked him whether he would keep the rain away 

 during the trip, as it would be very unpleasant should the soldiers' 

 kits get wet. He immediately blew his rain-whistle that was sus- 

 pended to his neck, and looked as though no one could longer 

 doubt his capability. Baker then sent for a German horn from his 

 cabin ; this was a polished cow's horn, fitted with brass, which 

 had cost a shilling : and begged the old rain-maker's acceptance of 

 this instrument, which might be perhaps superior to his whistle. 



The wine had so far warmed his blood that the ancient sor- 

 cerer was just in that state of good-will with all mankind which 

 made him doubly grateful for so interesting a present. He 

 blew the horn again and again. He grinned till the tears ran 



