JUMBE KIMEMETA 



7 



was more fortunate than in Martin's case, for I secured the co- 

 operation of Jumbe 1 Kimemeta, the ivory-trader of Masailand, 

 who also became well known through Thomson's journey, and 

 was now in Zanzibar, summoned thither by the Sultan, at the 

 instance of certain creditors, with a view to the liquidation 

 of long-standing debts. As soon as I heard of the Jumbe's 

 presence, I hastened to beg for an interview, or, as they say in 

 East Africa, a shauri. My invitation was accepted at once, 

 and the very next day the great trader, a so-called Mrima-man, 

 or negro from the coast, arrived, like some Arab of rank, with 

 a goodly and imposing following. At the door of the room in 

 which, with Mr. Dehnhardt, I was awaiting my guests, they 

 laid aside their sandals. Then I sat down to table with the 

 most important of them, Mr. Dehnhardt kindly acting as inter- 

 preter, whilst the retainers squatted down on the floor. Kime- 

 meta seemed very nervous at first, even after the handing 

 round of the cigarettes and sherbet, to which I treated the 

 whole party, with a view r to setting them at their ease. The 

 leader's face w r as deeply pitted with small-pox and his right 

 eye had been injured by that disease, but the expression of the 

 other was bright, honest, and intelligent, Another man who 

 struck me as having a particularly sensible face must be men- 

 tioned here on account of the great services he rendered us 

 later, though only in our preparations — a negro from the Comoro 

 Islands, Issa ben Madi by name, who held the rank of captain 

 in the Sultan's army. 



The shauri soon led to a cordial understanding, and Kime- 

 meta declared himself ready to act as guide in an expedition 

 to Masailand ; and as I was very favourably impressed by him, 

 I did not hesitate to secure by a considerable present in money 

 his remaining in Zanzibar until the arrival of Count Teleki. 



The same day Issa ben Madi brought me three young 



1 ' Jumbe ' is a native name for chief. — Trans. 



