14 



FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



their spears above their heads, with battle-cries formed 

 round him. 



While the Kachella with Jose's help was organising the 

 caravan in some sort of order for the march, I saw to the dis- 

 position of the force, arranging for an advance-guard of horse- 



THK KAI'HEI.I.A AM) THi: KINd MARCHIN<; ( i L T (if liL'LTrKI 



men to be led by Jose and a rear-guard under the command 

 of the old king. Then I told off the arrowmen at intervals 

 between the sections of the caravan and threw out a connec- 

 tion of scouts along the flank. And the Kachella and I 

 placed ourselves at the head of the caravan which now began 

 to tail slowly out of the town, presenting a panorama of 

 varied sights. Oxen stumbled along, piled heavily with 

 their burdens of packages, pots and pans, and little naked 

 children perched upon the top of all. Sometimes they would 

 stampede with a rattle of the jolting pans till with a crash 

 their top-heavy loads came tumbling to the ground. Silent 



