370 mburuma's village and people. 



told us that we were looked upon with alarm. He said 

 that Siriatomba had been killed near the village of Selole, 

 and hence that man's fears. He added that the Italian had 

 come talking of peace, as we did, but had kidnapped chil- 

 dren and bought ivory with them, and that we were sup- 

 posed to be following the same calling. I pointed to my 

 men, and asked if any of these were slaves, and if we had 

 any children among them, and I think we satisfied him that 

 we were true men. Referring to our ill success in hunting 

 the day before, he said, "The man at whose village you 

 remained was in fault in allowing you to want meat, for he 

 had only to run across to Mburuma; he would have giveu 

 him a little meal, and, having sprinkled that on the ground 

 as an offering to the gods, you would have found your 

 elephant." The chiefs in these parts take upon themselves 

 an office somewhat like the priesthood, and the people 

 imagine that they can propitiate the Deity through them. 

 In illustration of their ideas, it may be mentioned that, 

 when we were among the tribes west of Semalembue, 

 several of the people came forward and introduced them- 

 selves, — one as a hunter of elephants, another as a hunter 

 of hippopotami, a third as a digger of pitfalls, — apparently 

 wishing me to give them medicine for success in their 

 avocations, as well as to cure the diseases of those to 

 whom I was administering the drugs. I thought they at- 

 tributed supernatural power to them, for, like all Africans, 

 they have unbounded faith in the efficacy of charms; 

 but I took pains to let them know that they must pray 

 and trust to another power than mine for aid. We nevei 

 saw Mburuma himself, and the conduct of his people indi 

 cated very strong suspicions, though he gave us presents 

 of meal, maize, and native corn. His people never came 

 near us except in large bodies and fully armed. We had 

 to order them to place their bows, arrows, and spears at 

 a distance before entering our encampment. We did not, 

 however, care much for a little trouble now, as we hoped 

 that, if avc could pass this time without much molestation 



