IN THE JUNGLE 



they resigned themselves to their fate. In fact, 

 some of the most enterprising like Memba Sasa, 

 Kitaru, and, later, Kongoni used of their own ac- 

 cord to hunt up and bring in seeds and blossoms. 

 They did not in the least understand what it was for; 

 and it used to puzzle them hugely until out of sheer 

 pity for their uneasiness, I implied that the Mem- 

 sahib collected "medicine." That was rational, so 

 the wrinkled brow of care was smoothed. From 

 this botanical trait, Billy got her native name of 

 "Beebee Kooletta" — "The Lady Who Says: Go 

 Get That." For in Africa every white man has a 

 name by which he is known among the native people. 

 If you would get news of your friends, you must know 

 their local cognomens — their own white man names 

 will not do at all. For example, I was called either 

 Bwana Machumwani or Bwana N'goma. The 

 former means merely Master Four-eyes, referring to 

 my glasses. The precise meaning of the latter is a 

 matter much disputed between myself and Billy. 

 An N'goma is a native dance, consisting of drum 

 poundings, chantings, and hoppings around. There- 

 fore I translate myself (most appropriately) as the 

 Master who Makes Merry. On the other hand, 

 Billy, with true feminine indirectness, insists that 

 it means "The Master who Shouts and Howls." I 

 leave it to any fairminded reader. 



245 



