74 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



usually raise a not unmusical chant, keeping time with 

 their clubs. 



On May 8, just before beginning our march, the head-man 



DOOKWAY UF A MONTOIL ilUT 



of the carriers, accompanied by an interpreter, came up and 

 asked me not to stay behind on the road, as I often did to get 

 game, as the Montoil might try to shoot the gun- or water- 

 boys who accompanied me. This was his politely indirect 

 way of stating the fact that they probably might shoot me. 



We then passed through the last Ankwe village of Giddan 

 Kwoim (Giddan means " house of " and the word following 

 it is usually the name of the head-man or owner of the village), 

 and next entered the country of the Montoil. These, with 

 their neighbours, the Gurkaua and the Yergum are aboriginal 



