DUTIES OF OUR FOLLOWERS 



33 



Werndl carbines, twelve Colt's repeating rifles, each one with 

 bayonet and cartridge-pouch, as well as a number of revolvers. 

 Our Somal bodyguard and the servants had received magazine 

 rifles, the former revolvers as well ; the guides, Askari, and the 

 sturdier of the porters, Werndl carbines, the rest muzzle-loading 

 guns. Some of the men were provided with what are known 

 as hedging-bills, which did good service in the bush later on. 



The Somal and the three Swahili had become very good 

 shots in Zanzibar, and Count Teleki at once began giving the 

 other men lessons in shooting at a mark ; moreover, as soon as 

 the weapons were given out the men set to work to practise, 

 and soon the sound of firing was continual. 



The duties of the guides, Askari, and Somal had still to be 

 carefully portioned out. Jumbe Kimemeta had nothing to 

 do with the caravan, as he merely accompanied us in order to 

 give us the benefit of his experience in travelling and knowledge 

 of the country. Count Teleki had, however, acceded to his 

 request to be allowed to take a small caravan himself, with a 

 view to doing a little trading in ivory on his own account. Qualla 

 Idris was responsible for what we may call the internal economy 

 of our force ; and from the other Somal Count Teleki selected 

 two, Juma Jussuf and Ali Hassan by name, as his own body- 

 servants, whilst the other five were provisionally appointed as 

 general supervisors of the whole caravan. I may as well add 

 here, that before the end of the journey this Somal guard 

 became the most important portion of our followers, whilst the 

 guides sank to the position of mere ordinary members of the 

 Expedition. 



We had altogether nine guides in our service, including the 

 already mentioned Manwa Sera, who was the oldest of all. 

 Maktubu, a slave from Nyassaland, received the same wages as 

 Manwa Sera, but held no particular rank in the caravan. This 

 man had already distinguished himself for steadfastness and 



VOL. I. D 



