246 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



down his cheeks, and at once suspended the glittering toy around 

 his neck. " Now," he said, " I am a great sheik ; there is no 

 rain-maker so great as I ; you will travel with me, and this horn 

 shall keep you dry. Don't trouble yourself about the Baris : 

 they won't molest you ; but start as soon as you can." 



The old fellow's name was Lokko, and on February 8th, the 

 expedition started, the rain-maker leading the way, and waving 

 a couple of thin, peeled sticks at a refractory- black cloud that 

 appeared determined to defy his rain-ruling powers. A few loud 

 blasts upon the new horn, and a good deal of pantomime and 

 gesticulation on the part of old Lokko, at length had the desired 

 effect ; the cloud went off about its business ; and Lokko, having 

 given his face an extra rub of fresh wood-ashes before starting, 

 looked ugly enough to frighten any rain-devil out of his wits. 



A DANGEROUS LUMP OF IRON. 



OLD Lokko proved to be an excellent guide, and greatly bene- 

 fited the expedition by securing the friendship of the people of 

 the various villages they passed through, all of whom seemed to 

 know and respect him. At one of the villages the natives 

 brought a great curiosity, which they had purchased from the 

 Baris of Belinian. This was no less than a shell of eight-and-a- 

 quarter pounds that had been fired at the Baris by the cannon, 

 but the fuse had not ignited. It had been sold to its present 

 owners as a piece of iron. Baker inquired the use of such a 

 lump of metal to them. " Oh !" they replied, " we are going to 

 hammer it into molotes " (hoes). He explained that it was a 

 loaded shell, that would explode and blow the blacksmith and 

 his people to pieces if it were placed in the fire. They went 

 away with their shell, evidently doubting the explanation. 



The soldiers were heavily loaded with their accoutrements and 

 necessary luggage, but upon arriving at Lobore five hundred 

 porters were engaged, which gave new spirit to the tired and dis- 

 couraged men. 



IN A NEST OF SLAVE HUNTERS. 



AFTER a day's rest, the expedition moved on again through a 

 lovely country in which buffaloes and antelopes abounded, many 



