THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 247 



of which Baker shot, so that he kept his men supplied with meat 

 without having to kill any of the cows or sheep which he had 

 with him. Eighty-five miles from Lobore, and one hundred and 

 sixty-five miles from Gondokoro, lay Fatiko, which was Abou 

 Saood's headquarters for the slave trade of Central Africa. 

 This place was reached before any knowledge of Baker's coming 

 had been received by the old slaver, therefore he was wholly 

 unprepared for his visitor. Baker saw active preparations going 

 on for secreting the slaves, but it was too late. Abou Saood 

 came out and greeted him in a most cordial manner, professing 

 great delight at the visit. Baker, of course, knew what this 

 hypocrisy meant, but he received the advances with a similar 

 manifestion of friendship. At the same time, however, he 

 desired to show the slave hunter that he had a fairly well dis- 

 ciplined force, able to enforce such orders as might be necessary 

 for the abolition of the nefarious trade which thrived at Fatiko. 

 To do this, he had his soldiers go through certain military 

 evolutions, scale the hill and give a sham battle. To add effect 

 to the display, the band played several lively airs, which brought 

 thousands of delighted natives to the scene. The band was 

 composed of buglers, aided by cymbals, a bass drum and several 

 small drums. This would not be regarded as a very deliciously 

 symphonious aggregation in a civilized country, but it was 

 irresistible to the Africans. The natives are passionately fond 

 of music; and the safest way to travel in those wild countries 

 would be to play the cornet, if possible, without ceasing, which 

 would insure a safe passage. A London organ-grinder would 

 march through Central Africa followed by an admiring and 

 enthusiastic crowd, who, if his tunes were lively, would form a 

 dancing escort of the most untiring material. 



MUSIC HATH CHARMS, ETC. 



As the troops returned to their quarters, with the band playing 

 rather lively airs, women were observed racing down from 

 their villages, and gathering from all directions toward the 

 common centre. As they approached nearer, the charms of 

 music were overpowering, and, halting for an instant, they 



