PERILS A T BA MBIREH. 765 



fat goat, a large supply of milk, and other things good for famishing men. 

 But we were disappointed to hear the large number of people on the plateau 

 above the village shouting their war-cry. Still we pressed nearer the beach; 

 hunger gave us much confidence, and a rich tribute, we were sure, would 

 pacify the most belligerent chief. Perceiving that we persisted in approach- 

 ing their shore the people rushed down the slope of the plateau towards us- 

 Prudence whispered to me to at least get ready our guns, which I accordingly 

 did, and then rowed slowly towards the beach, certain that, if hostilities began, 

 indications of such would appear in time to enable us to withdraw. 



" We halted at the distance of twenty yards from land, and I observed 

 that the wild behaviour of the natives changed, as they approached nearer, to 

 affability. We exchanged the usual friendly greetings, and were invited to 

 come ashore in such tones as dissipated the least suspicion from our minds. 

 No sooner, however, had the keel of the boat grounded than the natives 

 rushed on us in a body, seized it, and dragged it up high and dry, with all 

 on board. The reader may imagine the number of natives required to per- 

 form this feat when I state that the boat, baggage, and crew, weighed nearly 

 4,0001bs. Twice I raised my revolvers to kill and be killed; but the crew 

 restrained me, saying it was premature to fight, as these people were friends, 

 and all would be right. Accordingly I sat down in the stern sheets, and waited 

 patiently for the decisive moment. The savages fast increased in numbers, 

 and the hubbub grew greater. Angry language and violent action we received 

 without comment or word on our part. Spears were held in their hands as 

 if on the launch, arrows were drawn to the head and pointed at each of us with 

 frenzied looks and eyes almost bursting out of their sockets. The apparently 

 peaceful people seemed to be now personified furies. Throughout all the 

 scenes of civilised and wild life which I have witnessed, I never saw mad 

 rage or cruel fury painted so truly before on human features. It led them 

 to the verge of absurdity even. They struck the ground and the boat, 

 stamped, foamed at the mouth, gnashed their teeth, slashed the air with their 

 spears, but they shed no blood. The chief Shekka prevented this, reserving 

 that pleasure, I presume, for a more opportune time, when a new excitement 

 would be required. 



" Our interpreters, in the meanwhile, were by no means idle; they em- 

 ployed to the utmost whatever gifts of persuasion nature had endowed them 

 with, or fear had created, without, however, exhibiting any servility or mean- 

 ness. Indeed, I was struck to admiration by the manly way in which they 

 stated our objects and purposes in travelling on the Nyanza, and by the com- 

 posure of their bearing. The savages themselves observed this, and com- 

 mented on it with surprise. The calm behaviour of the crew and interpreters 

 acted as a sedative on the turbulence and ranting violence of the savages, 

 though it broke out again now and then, sputtering fitfully with the wildest 



