THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 269 



his load for more than a mile, to a good open camping place, 

 where a halt was ordered. 



There is a singular bird in this part of Africa, having a pecu- 

 liar note that sounds like " Co-co-ma ! co-co-ma!" and which 

 the native warriors imitate with their antelope whistles just before 

 making an attack on an enemy. The Bari porters who acconir- 

 panied Baker said it meant "Look out! look out!" while his 

 Soudan soldiers declared that the bird exclaimed, " Shat-mo- 

 koor!" which is the order "Make ready!" Every time just 

 before an attack this doleful sound of " Co-co-ma ! co-co-ma !" 

 was heard in the high grass, to be followed immediately by a 

 discharge of lances. 



The entire march was a continual fight, so that it would be 

 tedious to narrate each special attack ; but Baker at length 

 reached Foweera, which was in Rionga's country, with a loss of 

 ten killed and eleven wounded. Here he expected to find shelter 

 and good houses, but instead nothing could be seen but black- 

 ened ashes, everything having been destroyed. 



MEETING WITH RIONGA. 



BAKER built a stockade at Foweera, which was on the bank of 

 the Victoria Nile, and then set about building canoes in which to 

 cross over to the island where Rionga had his headquarters. 

 Fortunately, while these preparations were being made, messen- 

 gers arrived to ascertain Baker's intentions in coming to the 

 country. By these he sent some presents to Rionga, and explained 

 his reasons for desiring an alliance with him. A reply soon came 

 back, for Rionga was delighted at the prospect of an alliance 

 with so powerful a force, and to show his friendship he sent 

 Baker a considerable quantity of provisions, and begged him to 

 cross over to his island, where he would receive him. 



The canoes were now ready, and in them Baker and his party 

 reached the island, where they were most hospitably received and 

 every want provided for. Rionga met him with a frank, manly 

 assurance of his regard, and forthwith proposed to exchange 

 blood in order that their friendship might be irrevocably 

 sealed. This noble chief was dressed in a beautiful cloak 



