440 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH. 



the scoundrels had monopolised the ford of that river and cut 

 off our road to Monbuttu. They had been informed of the 

 difficulties of the Government in Khartum by their correspon- 

 dents in Makraka, they were also well acquainted with the dis- 

 order and rebellion in the Bahr-el-Ghazal district, and they 

 therefore apparently thought the time had come for them to 

 play a little comedy for my benefit. 



Shortly before my arrival in Mundu, one of them, emboldened 

 by the possession of thirty-five guns which he had somehow or 

 other managed to collect together, terrorised over the country, 

 and systematically kidnapped women. He also thought fit to 

 take prisoner an officer who was travelling from Monbuttu 

 to Makraka, to keep him a fortnight in custody, also to rob 

 other travellers of their arms and servants, and at the same 

 time to declare openly that he was the lord of the land and 

 recognised no authority higher than his own. This was too 

 much even for my patience, and in the face of the agitation 

 which had existed for some time in Monbuttu, it was necessary 

 to make some energetic move. I had, however, no soldiers 

 with me, for they had all been sent from Tendia to Logo. 

 When, therefore, a number of the small chiefs just mentioned 

 refused to accept my invitation to meet me, thus openly dis- 

 obeying, I went by night with ten men to the village of the 

 nearest chief among them, and before the people had time to 

 get their guns, I took him prisoner. With the greatest ease 

 I confiscated some twenty guns, and after I had assured the 

 people that neither they nor their goods should come to harm, 

 I retired to the station, and immediately sent my prisoner to 

 the east, where, during his banishment, he will have time to 

 consider whether or not it is advisable to play with the fire. 

 On the same day a great meeting was held, a new chief was 

 elected and placed in office, and then I marched as fast as 

 possible to the south to arrest the possessor of thirty-five guns. 

 He was, however, too quick for me, and had vanished, but 

 I obtained the guns, and therefore rendered him harmless, 

 even should he attempt mischief elsewhere. In a meeting of 

 more than forty Zande chiefs, the runaway was declared 

 deposed, and the rightful heir to the district was appointed in 

 his place ; but the Zande were most impressed by the fact of 



