FEOM GULFEI TO FORT LAMY 131 



in our honour and drank our health in champagne. The 

 Colonel possesses all the charm of a high-bred Frenchman. 

 He is an able administrator and is held in great respect 

 by the natives under his rule. The majority of the " big 



A KOTOKO CANOE 



men " are Arabs, who are a difficult, double-faced lot to deal 

 with, acting with hes and flattery in one's presence, the while 

 they steal behind one's back. Whenever the commandant 

 goes on a journey all the "big men" assemble to see him 

 depart, kissing his hands and mumbhng prayers for his 

 welfare. 



The officers under Colonel Gourand's command were 

 Captain Garden, Captain Cotton, Lieutenant Gerhard (acting 

 as secretary) and two other subalterns. The strength of the 

 force was four N.C.O.s., two Companies of Senegalese and 

 a battery of field artillery. There were a doctor, an Arabic 

 interpreter, and two mechanics also in the garrison, 



