THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 273 



he has guns that are magic, and which load from behind instead 

 of at the muzzle !" 



This was a terrible disappointment to the deluded Makkarikas, 

 which at once spread dissension among them, when they found 

 that they had been cajoled in order to transport the heavy loads 

 of ivory. A providential visitation suddenly fell upon them. 

 The small-pox broke out, and killed upward of eight hundred 

 blood-thirsty cannibals who had been devouring the country. 

 This visitation of small-pox created a panic that entirely broke 

 up and dispersed the invading force, and defeated their plans. 



A GREAT HUNT. 



ABOU SAOOD'S plans had failed, and there was now compara- 

 tive peace, while prospects for the future were all flattering. 

 Mtesa had sent a messenger to Baker offering his aid to destroy 

 Kabba Rega, while Rionga had sworn allegiance to the Khedive 

 and had been made the vakeel, or ruler of the Unyoro country, 

 so that Kabba Rega was really now only a wandering outcast, 

 incapable of offering any serious resistance. 



Baker had won the good opinion and friendship of many natives 

 during his first journey through Africa, by joining with them 

 in the chase and so effectively killing and sharing with them the 

 large game. It was now the hunting season, and as arrange- 

 ments were being made for the great annual hunt, he resolved to 

 participate with the natives, which gave them much pleasure, for 

 they appreciated his gun, which was certain to secure for them 

 considerable meat. 



The natives, in their annual hunts, use a large net, or a number 

 of nets, which are made fast successively to stakes so as to form 

 a large quarter circle stretching across the country which they 

 have previously selected to beat. They then form a circle them- 

 selves, more than a mile in diameter, facing the nets, and fire the 

 grass to rvindward. In the high grass the net would be invisible 

 until the game, in trying to escape, would rush into it, when they 

 were checked and speared to death by hunters who remained 

 secret, two to each section of netting. 



18 



