THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 257 



CHAPTEK XV. 



TRAFFIC IN SLAVES. 



BAKER at least partially secured the confidence of Kabha Rega, 

 and was resolved to begin his reforms by ordering the immediate 

 release of all slaves heldat Fatiko, Fabbo, Faloro, and Farragenia, 

 supposed to number about one thousand women and children. At 

 the same time that Kabba Rega and his people were eager for the 

 restoration of the numerous women and children that had been 

 stolen from Unyoro, they were themselves great slave-dealers. 



In Unyoro there was an established value for healthy young 

 girls. Such a person could be bought for one first-class elephant 

 tusk or a new shirt. 



In the country of Uganda, where the natives are exceedingly 

 clever as tailors and furriers, needles are in great demand. A 

 handsome girl could be purchased for thirteen English needles ! 

 Thus for slave-traders there existed an excellent opening for a 

 profitable business. A girl might be bought for thirteen needles 

 or a new shirt in Uganda, to be exchanged in Unyoro for an 

 elephant's tusk that would bring $100 or $150 in England, and 

 the poor slave never leave Central Africa, nor the dealer in ivory 

 be aware that he was encouraging the slave-trade. 



Abou Saood's brigands had been far too lawless even for this 

 innocent traffic, and in default of the merchandise necessary for 

 such profitable exchanges, they had found it more convenient to 

 kidnap the young girls, which saved much trouble in bargaining 

 for needles and shirts. 



Girls are always purchased, if required as wives. It would be 

 quite impossible to obtain a wife for love from any tribe. 

 "Blessed is he that hath his quiver full of them." A large 

 family of girls is a source of wealth to the father, as he sells 

 each daughter for twelve or fifteen cows to her suitor. Every 

 girl is certain to marry ; thus a dozen daughters will bring a for- 

 tune of at least one hundred and fifty cows to their parents in all 

 17 



