138 THE PLAGUE IN ASHIRA-LAND. Chap. VH. 



comjDanied Quengueza from Olenda had died, either 

 on the way or after their arrival at Groumbi. The 

 reproach of Quengueza stung the Ashira peoj^le to 

 the quick, and they now bestirred themselves in 

 reality. It Avas, however, very difBcult to get porters 

 together, although Ondonga aided me with all sin- 

 cerity, for they did not want to have to go to another 

 clan for people. I was obliged at last to g'rant them 

 all they wanted, which was to abandon to them all 

 the apparatus and goods which I could not carry 

 any further into the interior, for want of porters. 



I finally succeeded in obtaining about twenty men, 

 including five Apingi belonging to Mintcho, whom I 

 was obliged to propitiate with the present of a gun, 

 to induce him to join us with this strong reinforce- 

 ment. I had to give up besides to the porters the 

 greater part of my ammunition, all my sugar, tea, 

 and every spare article of clothing. One of the 

 principal men, Ayagui, son of Olenda, wdio accom- 

 panied me on my former journey, when he had 

 received the whole of his pay, said in the coolest 

 manner that he should keep that as recompense for 

 having taken care of two of my men, and that neither 

 he nor his slaves would go with me without further 

 wages. Although boiling with indignation at this 

 act of rascality, I was obliged to yield. I was entirely 

 in the power of these rapacious scoundrels. With 

 these tribes it is not only that they are seeking to 

 gratify their own cupidity in thus fleecing a traveller, 

 but mingled with it is a jealousy of the next tribe's 

 having a chance in their turn of participating in the 

 plunder of the white man. 



