1 78 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER CH. 



good business was that he, Abdullah, had only a 

 small stock of goods and none at all of what 

 Malinganiro most desired kegs of gunpowder. 

 However, determined to overcome all obstacles, he 

 promptly told Malinganiro that the Portuguese had 

 plenty of this commodity at Matengula, but gave it 

 out only to reliable chiefs on their personal atten- 

 dance. As for goods, well, he, Abdullah, could 

 procure plenty from English territory, but would not 

 dare to bring so large a quantity so great a distance, 

 and hinted that Malinganiro, himself, might not be 

 above stealing them when they did arrive. To 

 overcome the difficulty, therefore, Malinganiro, so 

 suggested the wily Abdullah, should bring his ivory 

 down to Matengula in person, and there receive the 

 goods and gunpowder in exchange. 



It must have taken considerable persuasion to 

 induce Malinganiro to fall in with this plan, but he 

 eventually did so, and arrived at Matengula in 1901, 

 bringing with him about sixty loads of ivory. The 

 Portuguese received him in good style, and, for a 

 time, all went well in fact, until bargaining for the 

 ivory commenced. Then Malinganiro discovered, 

 to his surprise, that no gunpowder was forthcoming, 

 and as the price offered for his ivory was ridicu- 

 lously low, announced his intention of taking his 

 tusks into English territory and disposing of them 

 there. Thereupon, the Portuguese politely informed 



