246 



THE QUANGO. 



Chap. XIX. 



goodness in bringing us thus far without the loss of one of 

 the party. 



4th April — We were now on the banks of the Quango, here 

 one hundred and fifty }^ards wide, very deep, and flowing 

 among extensive meadows clothed with gigantic grass and 

 reeds. It is said by the natives to contain many venomous 

 water-snakes, which may account for the villages being 

 situated far from its banks. We were advised not to sleep 

 near it ; but, as we were anxious to cross to the western side, 

 we tried to induce some of the Bashinje to lend us canoes for 

 the purpose. The chief of these parts, however, informed us 

 that all the canoe-men were his children, and that nothing 

 could be done without his authority. He then made the 

 usual demand for a man, an ox, or a gun, adding that other- 

 wise we must return to the country from which we had come. 

 As I suspected that, if I gave him my blanket — the only thing 

 I now had in reserve — he might leave us in the lurch after 

 all, I tried to persuade my men to go at once to the bank, 

 about two miles off, and obtain possession of the canoes before 



Bashinje chiefs head-dress. 



^e gave up the blanket; but they thought that this might 

 lead to an attack upon us while crossing. The chief came 



