Northern Nigeria 



had a good many unarmed carriers. However, as 

 I wished to test the truth of reports, and didn't 

 think they would dare to attack a white man, 

 particularly after some lessons they had had in 

 the vicinity, I camped in a clearing in the middle 

 of the town. The inhabitants at once began 

 behaving suspiciously, not a woman or child was 

 to be seen, and the men wouldn't come near us, 

 but peeped at us round walls and from behind 

 trees, while several I could see with my glasses 

 were carrying arms. 



I made my interpreter, of whom more anon, 

 shout to the Wawaites to send their head-men to 

 interview me, and assured them we didn't wish 

 to harm them ; but the only ones to come forth 

 were two men dressed in bright-coloured patch- 

 work tobes, and covered from head to foot with 

 charms, snake-skins, etc. They came up and 

 began walking in ever-narrowing circles round 

 us, refusing to speak, and muttering continuously. 

 I had recognized them at once as ju-ju or fetish 

 men, as also had my men, who showed great 

 signs of uneasiness. They, for their part, showed 

 no signs of fear, believing themselves, as they 

 do, to be invulnerable; so, to clinch matters, we 

 made a dash at one, who immediately showed 

 his hand by whipping out a long dagger, and 

 there being nothing uncanny about this, my men 

 joined in with a will, and in a moment we had 



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