HOSTILITY OP THE BASHINJE. 229 



m evidence of our all being made of one stock originally. 

 *nd the children of one Maker, seemed to strike him with 

 wonder. I then showed him my watch, and wished to 

 win my way into his confidence by conversation ; but, when 

 about to exhibit my pocket-compass, he desired me to de- 

 sist, as he was afraid of my wonderful things. I told him, 

 if he knew my aims as the tribes in the interior did, and 

 as I hoped he would yet know them and me, he would be 

 glad to stay, and see also the pictures of the magic lan- 

 tern ; but, as it was now getting dark, he had evidently got 

 enough of my witchery, and began to use some charms to 

 dispel any kindly feelings he might have found stealing 

 round his heart. He asked leave to go, and when his party 

 moved off a little way he sent for my spokesman, and 

 told him that, "if we did not add a red jacket and a man 

 to our gift of a few copper rings and a few pounds of meat, 

 we must return by the way we had come." I said, in 

 reply, "that we should certainly go forward next day, and 

 if he commenced hostilities the blame before God would 

 be that of Sansawe •" and my man added, of his own ac- 

 cord, "How many white men have you killed in this path ?" 

 which might be interpreted into, " You have never killed 

 any white man; and you will find ours more difficult to 

 manage than you imagine." It expressed a determination, 

 which we had often repeated to each other, to die rather 

 than yield one of our party to be a slave. 



Hunger has a powerful effect on the temper. When we 

 had got a good meal of meat, we could all bear the petty 

 annoyances of these borderers on the more civilized region 

 in front with equanimity; but, having suffered considerably 

 of late, we were all rather soured in our feelings, and not 

 unfrequently I overheard my companions remark in their 

 own tongue, in answer to threats of attack, "That's what 

 we want : only begin, then ;" or with clenched teeth they 

 would exclaim to each other, "These things have never 

 travelled, and do not know what men are." The worrying, 



of which I give only a slight sketch, had considerable in- 



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